§ 29. Mr. C. DUNCANasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, owing to the War, constables in both Metropolitan and provincial forces are only allowed one day off in fourteen instead of one day off in seven; whether the days so worked accumulate considerably; whether this condition of affairs has brought about a state of great tension and difficulty in the police force at Birkenhead, over 100 men having tendered their resignations out of a strength of 240; and whether, seeing that some watch committees now pay the constables wages for the extra days worked, he can put this method into operation in the Metropolitan Police area, as such plan would prove more acceptable to the constables than allowing time off for the extra days worked?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. McKenna)So far as the county and borough police forces are concerned, the matter is one for the local authority to decide. No information has reached me with regard to pension or difficulty at Birkenhead. As regards the Metropolitan Police area, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave last Monday to the hon. Member for South-West Ham.