§ 4. Mr. LOOKERasked the Home Secretary if he is aware that the Essex Police Force is under the requisite strength in view of the great increase of population which has taken place; that an additional volume of work is thrown on the police stationed in the area through which the new Southend road passes owing to the necessity of constables being on point duty at level crossings during the weekend; that an increase in the force was recommended by the Standing Joint Committee but refused by his Department; and will he take steps to see that the force is brought up to the requisite strength?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI am aware that in the Essex Constabulary, as in other forces, a number of vacancies are being maintained in the interests of economy, but it is not the case that I recently refused the Standing Joint Committee's request to increase the strength of the force. In fact I allowed them to add 10 men, and in so doing I took into consideration among other things the additional duties arising from the traffic on the new Southend road.