§ 80. Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKEasked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the time that the police are required to give to minor offences against the Motor Car Acts and the result on the detection of crime, he will consider the advisability of increasing the number of police in the Metropolitan area?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSWithout accepting the suggestion implied in the question, I may say that the strength of the force has been under investigation for some time. I hope to have before me shortly all the materal necessary to enable a decision to be arrived at.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEHas the right hon. Gentleman seen the observations made by the learned Judge at the Leeds Assizes last week on this matter?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSYes, Sir, I need hardly say that all observations of learned Judges are brought to my notice, and I have read these particular observations.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEDoes the right hon. Gentleman accept the learned Judge's view?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSWith great deference, I say I know more of the details of police work than the learned Judge. I am investigating the whole matter and, when I have finished, I hope everything will be satisfactory both to the learned Judge and to my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. LUNNMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he sees fit to increase the number of police to deal with motor offences, will he also see that the cost is borne by the road users?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI think that question should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.