§ 5. Mr. GILBERTasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether there has recently been any increase in the horsed police force of the Metropolitan Police; if so, what has been the increase in numbers, and for what reason; if these men are armed in any way when on duty; and what is the object of permanently having some of these men on duty at some of the crowded traffic crossings in London when the traffic is well managed by the ordinary policeman on foot?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Shortt)There has been no recent increase in the strength of the mounted police, and their numbers are now smaller than before the War. They are not armed when on duty, being merely provided with a truncheon. The employment of mounted men at busy crossing has been found of advantage, because they are in a better position than the foot police to keep the traffic under observation.