§ Sir D. MACLEANMay I ask the Home Secretary whether he can give us any information as to what appears in the Press this morning regarding the police strike?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Shortt)It is quite true that there was what is known as an attempt at a lightning strike last night. The authorities were perfectly well aware of what was in the wind, and they made all their preparations accordingly. It did not turn out quite as we had anticipated, but very nearly. The result has been, so far as the Metropolitan Police area is concerned, that out of a number of 20,000 to 21,000 men, 546 have not turned up to duty. How many of these had a proper explanation we do not yet know. Some may have been ill and some may have not. However, 546 out of 21,000 from the Metropolitan area failed to report for duty. So far as the latest information from the provinces is concerned, the only place where more than one or two at the outside failed to report for duty-was Liverpool, and I understand that there, out of 1,700, about 300 failed to report. Everywhere else, so far as my latest information goes, the strike has completely failed. That is the position at present. Of course, with regard to the 546 absentees in the Metropolitan area, those of them who cannot give a proper explanation will cease at once to be policemen. With regard to Liverpool, I have told the Head Constable there that in any steps that he may consider it necessary to take I will give him my full support.
§ Colonel Sir J. REMNANTCan the right hon. Gentleman say how many of the 546 men have been over a year in the service?
§ Mr. SHORTTNo; I cannot possibly say at present.