HC Deb 28 December 1919 vol 123 cc1246-7
19. Mr. A. SHORT

asked the Home Secretary whether the scheme for the formation of citizen guards has now been abandoned; whether the expenditure in connection with the scheme falls on the Exchequer or on local funds; and what is the estimated amount that has been spent on the scheme?

Mr. SHORTT

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The scheme provided for the attesting of the citizen guards as special constables, and their expenses would, therefore, be payable in the same way as those of the regular police. No separate estimate of these expenses can be given, but as special constables give their services as volunteers they must be very small.