§ Mr. W. THORNEasked what is the number of candidates who have applied to join the Metropolitan Police Force since 1st January, 1910; how many have been medically examined by the chief medical officer at Scotland Yard; what proportion of these were accepted; and the number rejected on medical grounds?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe total number of applications received between 1st January and 28th May, 1910, was 6,065. Of these 2,862 abandoned their intention on learning the requirements of the Metropolitan Police as regards physique and education, or have not yet presented themselves for examination. Of the 3,203 who presented themselves 955 were accepted, 1,602 were rejected by the chief surgeon, or his deputy, as physically unfit, and 646 were rejected on other grounds.
§ Mr. W. THORNEasked what is the number of men in the Metropolitan Police Force who are not at present doing the full beat round daily?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe only men in excess of the number required for beats are those engaged on such police duty as traffic, point, police court, station or other similar duty, and the reserve for relieving for leave. When recruits are posted, they have to be shown round their beats at first by experienced constables.
Mr. POINTERasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can say if the two days' extra pay granted to the members of the Metropolitan Police Force in connection with the arrangements for the funeral of the late King was granted to all the members of the force stationed in this House during that time; if not, can he say why; and whether he will take steps to put these men upon an equality with their fellows?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe extra two days' pay was given to those members of the Metropolitan Police on whom fell directly or indirectly the exceptional strain caused by the funeral of the late King. No special strain fell at that time on the officers employed in this House—on the contrary, their duties were lighter than usual at this season of the year, and they had therefore no claim to the extra two days' pay. They draw a special allowance, which is calculated to compensate them for the extra duty which at other times falls to their lot.
Mr. POINTERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the hours put in by these men were excessive on two or three days about that period, that on one day their hours were twelve and on another thirteen and a half, and that twenty members working in and about the House already in possession of the special privileges he referred to have been actually in receipt of this two days' pay?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have given the answer which has been supplied to me. I naturally do not deal with the roster of police duty myself. If there are special circumstances which the hon. Gentleman thinks are not covered by that answer, if he will let me have them I will have them again looked into.