§ 40. Mr. GILBERTasked the Home Secretary if he will state the present number of men in the Metropolitan Police Force; if this is the maximum number required by the Force; and will he state the total number of recruits accepted since the Armistice was signed, and what proportion of these recruits are ex-Service men?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe Metropolitan Police Force at present numbers 20,569 men. It is still below its authorised strength, and there are vacancies for 1,160 men. Since the Armistice 4,571 recruits have been accepted, and of these recruits 99½ per cent. are ex-Service men.
Mr. J. JONESWill the right hon. Gentleman consider hard cases of men who were discharged from the Force in consequence of the late strike?
§ Mr. SHORTTI do not think that arises out of this question.