§ Mr. LANSBURYasked how it is such large numbers of police can be spared from the Metropolis, and what is the number of reserve men kept on hand for such emergencies as the South Wales and shipping strikes; and if the cost of such reserve is borne by the London ratepayer?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe number of Metropolitan police sent to Hull is only 500, or about one man in forty of the whole force. It is always possible to make temporary arrangements for thirty-nine men to do the work of forty without undue pressure. No reserve is maintained, but the strength of the Metropolitan police is sufficient to meet emergencies.
§ Mr. EDGAR JONESDid the local authorities in Hull apply specifically for the Metropolitan police?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLYes.
§ Mr. REMNANTUpon whom will the cost of the employment of these men fall?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe cost will fall upon the local authority at Hull.
§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEWere these men drafted or were they invited to volunteer?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIt was all done very expeditiously. The order was given at half-past eleven at night, and at nine o'clock the next morning the men were actually in Hull. There is no objection on the part of the police to going on special duty. There is, of course, remuneration for it.
§ Mr. REMNANTWill the 500 men be paid for in the same way as the men at Tonypandy?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLYes.
§ Mr. REMNANTHow is it that the cost will fall on the Hull authority, whereas in the case of Glamorgan you could not make them pay?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLWe trust to the Hull Authorities to keep their word.
§ Mr. LANSBURYIs not the reserve of one in forty to meet the cases of sickness 792 and emergency that may arise in London, and are the London police paid by the London ratepayers for the purpose of serving all over the country during strikes in mines and dockyards?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLAll police forces render services in other districts when required, and other police are already on duty in Hull. As a fact the demands on the Metropolitan Police Force are less, taking the whole year through, than the demands made on local police forces throughout the country.
§ Mr. LANSBURYThese 500 men have been drafted, and what we in London want to know is whether the whole of Yorkshire is unable to supply the necessary police at the moment, and why have they to come to London for them?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI think I have answered that.
§ Mr. LANSBURYasked if 500 men from the Metropolitan Police have been sent to Hull; if these men have been on long spells of duty during the Coronation festivities; and if there is any evidence that the county of Yorkshire has not sufficient police for police purposes within its area?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe answer to all three questions is in the affirmative.