§ 62. Mr. C. DUNCANasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the order that special constables could be supplied free with uniform to the cost of £3, provided the applicant was really necessitous, has become inoperative; is he aware that the retention of the order is giving offence to special constables; and will he rescind the order?
§ Mr. McKENNAI would refer my hon. Friend to my reply on 15th March to the hon. Member for Lewisham. There was no question of supplying uniforms, but only special clothing for those who could not afford it. Full advantage has been taken of the provision, and I am advised that it has not caused dissatisfaction.
§ 64. Mr. C. DUNCANasked the Home Secretary if he will state the total number of men enrolled in the Metropolitan Special Constabulary; the number between the ages of eighteen and thirty-eight; how many of the latter have applied for service in the Army or Navy and been rejected by the authorities; and, in view of the depletion of the ordinary police through recruiting for His Majesty's forces, will he see that men of military age not enrolled in the special constabulary if fit for military service?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe total number of men now enrolled in the Metropolitan Special Constabulary is 32,189. The number of special constables between eighteen and thirty-eight capable of military service cannot be given, but it is believed to be very small. Since the first enrolment care has been taken not to accept without adequate reason any man fit for military service; and of those who joined at the inception of the force upwards of 5,000 have been released for service.