§ LORD HENRY BRUCE (Wilts, Chippenham)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether the Police Force in the overcrowded districts of London is in the same numerical proportion to the number of residents as it is in less populated and wealthier districts; and, whether he has any reason to believe that the Force itself is over-worked and under-manned, and thereby unable to cope as efficiently as it might do with its present multifarious duties?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)I am informed by the Commissioner that the police in the Metropolis are located according to the wants of each particular district, and not according to numerical proportions or to rates. I have no reason to think that the police are over-worked and under-manned, as far as their ordinary duties are concerned. Occasionally there is, no doubt, a great pressure of work with which it is more difficult to cope; but the extra duties which sometimes becomes necessary are always cheerfully undertaken by all members of the Force.
§ MR. JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)Who is the Commissioner who gave the information?
§ MR. MATTHEWSSir Charles Warren.