§ 17. Mr. CROOKSasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that Metropolitan 485 special constables are doing five turns of duty, each of four hours, per week without pay; that these duties make it impossible for the men to earn extra wages at their own work and thus be in a better position, to meet the increased cost of living; and whether he will consider the possibility of establishing a rate of pay for special constables?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir G. Cave)I am informed that with the exception of a very few men attached to headquarters staffs, and one special constable who has for more than two years voluntarily and regularly performed six tours of duty weekly, no Metropolitan special constable is doing five tours of duty a week. Although every endeavour is made so to arrange the duties of special constables that their means of earning a livelihood are not unduly interfered with, I am aware that service in that force entails substantial sacrifices on the part of many of those who have undertaken it; but as intimated in this House by my predecessor on the 13th December, 1915, and by me on the 8th November last, the Metropolitan Special Constabulary was enrolled upon an honorary basis, and there is no intention of making it a paid force.