§ 15. Sir WILLIAM DAVISONasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to a Report issued some months ago on the police administration of the Punjab for 1923 to the effect that large numbers of police have been disbanded, whereby crime has increased and the security of life and property has been jeopardised; and whether he will make representations to the Government of India on the matter?
§ Earl WINTERTONIf the hon. Member will refer to paragraph 32 of the Report which he mentions, he will see that the reduction in the force which had been made earlier in 1923 was restored in November of that year.
§ Sir W. DAVISONDo we understand that the 832 police who were disbanded in April, 1923, have since been replaced, because I did not think that was plain from the Report.
§ Earl WINTERTONThere were extra police who were formed in the bad year 1922. Those extra police were afterwards withdrawn, but in addition there was a reduction made in the ordinary police, and the numbers were restored in the year in question.
§ Sir W. DAVISONBut not the extra 832. They are still disbanded?
§ Earl WINTERTONI cannot carry the actual figures in my head. There were some extra police. They might be regarded in almost the position of special constables in this country. They have been disbanded, and the ordinary police force has been restored to its ordinary duties.