§ MR. HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, having regard to the enormous con- 529 centration of population in the Metropolis, the extreme daily demands upon the barely adequate police force in the several districts, and the difficulty of accurately foreseeing the sudden claims which frequently arise for an immediate but temporary reinforcement of local strength owing to the collection of unexpected crowds, he will consider the desirability in the public interest of the Metropolitan Police being so augmented as to allow of a strong reserve of selected officers and constables being always held in readiness at Scotland Yard, or other central station, to proceed at once, upon the need arising, by suitable conveyances to the point of special emergency?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. MATTHEWS,) Birmingham, E.I have consulted the Commissioner of Police on this matter, and I concur with him in thinking that the suggestion of my hon. Friend is not one which it is desirable to carry out. The experience of the Police Authorities does not show that under ordinary circumstances such reserves are needed, and when on any special occasion the police have to arrange for the management of crowds, they are careful to have reserves as a necessary part of their arrangements. I would also remind my hon. Friend that, by means of the improved telegraphic system, bodies of police can be rapidly collected in cases of sudden need.