§ 38. Mr. TOUCHEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will say whether, in view of the need for more men for the manufacture of munitions of war, he has considered the desirability of making arrangements whereby men now serving in the police who have been employed previously as engineers, fitters, turners, wheelwrights, blacksmiths, and moulders can be utilised at Woolwich Arsenal or elsewhere to better advantage than at present, their places being taken temporarily by special constables?
§ The SECRETARY OF STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. McKenna)The answer is in the negative. The police have responded loyally to every requisition made on them by the War Office, and large numbers are now in War Office service either as soldiers or in civil capacities; but I fear that the resources of the police would not extend to producing any material number of skilled men of the classes the hon. Member mentions.
§ Mr. TOUCHEDoes not the right hon. Gentleman consider it desirable, even if their numbers are very small, to allow them to be employed in this way as an example to the others?
§ Mr. McKENNANo. I think that everything that can be done is being done now.