MR. A. MOETON (Deptford)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the fact that many of the constables in the Metropolitan Police Force are natives of Ireland and Scotland, and that, necessarily, the journeys to and from their native places occupy a considerable period of time, he would be good enough to give his sanction to a regulation under which any constable, desiring to spend his leave among his kinsfolk in Ireland or Scotland, might have permission, at his option, to accumulate two years' leave in one—taking, e.g., a leave of 20 days in one year instead of 10 days in each of two following years, as provided by the regulations now in force?
THE SECRETABY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENTI have considered whether it would be practicable to give effect to this suggestion which the honourable Member has already made to me by letter, but I fear there are administrative difficulties which make it impossible. It is the case already, as have informed my honourable Friend, that officers who cannot reach their destination in 24 hours are allowed two days extra leave.