§ CAPTAIN NORTON (Newington, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can state whether the Metropolitan Police Force is at present below its establishment, also whether desirable recruits are now forthcoming in sufficient numbers and continue to remain in the force.
§ * SIR M. WHITE RIDLEYThe force is at present below its establishment chiefly owing to the Reservists being called out for service with the colours. A sufficient number of properly qualified recruits is forthcoming to rather more than meet the normal needs of the force, but not sufficient to replace the absent Reservists or to make good augmentations. The answer to the last few words of the question is in the affirmative.