§ Mr. REMNANTasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many men of the Metropolitan Police Force have been granted the one day's rest in seven promised on the 14th June last?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Gladstone)The grant of the additional leave 391 can only be given as the increase of the force necessary to provide substitutes is made. Steps are now being taken to provide accommodation for training an increased number of recruits, and it is hoped that it will be possible to begin the special augmentation of the force towards the end of October next. The hon. Member will doubtless remember that on the 14th of June I stated that the work of recruiting and training the whole number of additional men would probably occupy about four years.
§ Mr. REMNANTDid the right hon. Gentleman not say that he would commence, or endeavour to commence, giving these men one day's rest in seven at once?
§ Mr. GLADSTONEObviously an augmentation of the force is necessary, and the new men have to be trained. We are now taking immediate steps to enlarge the accommodation necessary for training. We are losing no time. It is not quite so simple a matter as the hon. Member imagines.
§ Mr. REMNANTI am quite aware of the difficulties of the case; but the right hon. Gentleman will agree with me that some rearrangement of the present force is quite possible, by which men can at once begin to get the one day's rest in seven?
§ Mr. GLADSTONEWell, Sir, I do not think that can be done at present. If it can be done it will be done.
§ Mr. W. THORNEHow long will it take before the whole of the Metropolitan Police come under this new rule?
§ Mr. GLADSTONEI said about four years.
§ Mr. W. THORNEFour years! A very slow process.