§ 62. Mr. TOUCHEasked the Home Secretary what has been the cost, including the salaries, of the recruiting staff of the Metropolitan Police during the recent visit to Scotland; and how many recruits were then obtained?
§ Mr. McKENNAFifty-eight recruits were obtained at a cost of £150, exclusive of the pay of the permanent recruiting staff.
§ 64. Mr. TOUCHEasked the Home Secretary the number of police who have voluntarily resigned from the Metropolitan Police force during each of the years 1909, 1910, and 1911, and how many have resigned voluntarily during 1912?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe numbers are as follows:—
440 I may add that most voluntary resignations occur in the first year or two of service on the part of men who find police work does not suit them. The increase is due entirely to the increased recruiting for the one day's rest in seven.
1909 … 109 1910 … 165 1911 … 199 1912 (to the 28th October) … 133
§ 65. Mr. TOUCHEasked the Home Secretary if he can say what is the reason for the recent police order offering 5s. gratuity or commission to pensioned police officers for each recruit obtained by them and accepted for the Metropolitan police; whether there is a scarcity of suitable recruits; and, if so, can he assign any reason for such scarcity?
§ Mr. McKENNANo difficulty is experienced in keeping the force up to strength; but an abnormal number of recruits are required at present for the augmentation to give the force one day's rest in seven, necessitating a total recruitment of some 1,600 men per annum, and therefore special measures have to be taken.
§ Colonel YATEIf there is a scarcity of recruits, will the right hon. Gentleman not consider the question of taking on a few extra soldiers?
§ Mr. McKENNAMy answer indicates that there is no scarcity of recruits.
§ Mr. REMNANTHow near is the right hon. Gentleman to giving this one day's rest in seven to all the men?
§ Mr. McKENNAI should have to look up the figures; perhaps the hon. Member would give notice of the question.