35. Mr. J. JONESasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the position in the public service occupied by Sir Basil Thompson; what is the work upon which Sir Basil Thompson is engaged; what is the staff at present employed in the branch of which Sir Basil Thompson is the head; and how many of the persons receiving payments from or through this branch are persons other than full-time employés of the Crown?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Shortt)Sir Basil Thompson is one of the Assistant Commissioners of the Metropolitan Police. His staff consists of 136 police officers of various ranks, and a certain number of temporary officers engaged for the most part in clerical duties. These are all full-time employés. I can give no information about persons who occasionally assist the police by furnishing information.
36. Mr. J. JONESasked the Home Secretary whether his Department or any ad ministrative authority under his control, including the police force, is engaged, or has been engaged, in the compilation of a register of persons willing to carry on industries and services voluntarily in the case of a strike; and, if so, under what authority and by what methods is this work being done?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe Home Office has taken its share in the arrangements made by the Government some months ago for the purpose of maintaining during a strike the supplies of food and other things essential to life. The police force were not used for this purpose. The authority is the primary duty of the Government to preserve the life of the community by all means in its power. These arrangements are still being maintained so far as possible.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODAre they going to maintain the coal supplies of the country, in view of a strike, by voluntary service in the mines?
§ Mr. SHORTTI said arrangements are being maintained as far as possible.