§ 62. Mr. S. ROBINSONasked the Home Secretary if the night guardianship of the Palace of Westminster is to be taken from the police and entrusted to a body of amateur constables; and, if so, whether, owing to the lack of intimate knowledge of these men that must prevail, he will say why this policy has been adopted?
§ Sir J. GILMOURIn the interests of economy, the police who have been employed on night watching duties at the Houses of Parliament are to be substituted by night watchmen. I need hardly add that the men in question have been selected with the greatest care.
§ Mr. ROBINSONIn view of recent happenings, is not that a rather dangerous thing to do at the present time, when these buildings and the rooms of Ministers should be guarded by police the whole time?
§ Sir J. GILMOURNo, I do not think so. We are only carrying out what is the custom in every other Government Department in the country.