§ 20. Mr. WEDGWOODasked whether any, and, if so, what arrangements have been under consideration between the War Office and the Home Office with reference to the possibility or necessity of declaring martial law in case of mobilisation; whether it has been considered that the police should take the place of soldiers, compelling the discipline which military law requires from the civil population; and whether any arming of the police with rifles, or their practice in the use of rifles, has been under consideration or has been recommended?
§ Colonel SEELYNo such arrangements have been made for declaring martial law on mobilisation.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODMay I ask for a reply to the last part of the question: "whether any arming of the police with rifles, or their practice in the use of rifles, has been under consideration or has been recommended?"
§ Colonel SEELYAny question as to the police should be addressed to the Home Office.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODThe War Office have not supplied them with any rifles?
§ Colonel SEELYI say that question must be referred to the Home Office; I have no knowledge of them.