§ Mr. BENNETT-GOLDNEYasked the Home Secretary whether, having regard to the fact that certain police authorities have already taken advantage of the powers granted under the Act of 1910 and have allowed all constables under their control one day's rest in seven, he will take the necessary steps to amend the aforesaid Act so that an Order in Council may be issued at an earlier date than that provided for in the Act, to render it compulsory that all police authorities shall allow 52 days in a year for rest to all constables not being above the rank of inspector, so that all constables in England shall have similar treatment in this respect from Michaelmas of the present year?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe fact that some police authorities have been able to anticipate the requirements of the Act is a matter for satisfaction; but it does not remove the difficulty which the provisions of the Act were framed to meet, namely—that if all the police forces adopted the Act simultaneously it would be impossible to obtain the necessary number of recruits. The experience of the Metropolitan Police confirms the calculation that four years are necessary for bringing the change into operation among a large body of police; and I do not see my way to propose any new legislation on the subject.