§ 3. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Home Secretary how many police are normally employed on traffic duty in the Metropolitan police area; and what was the number so employed on the nearest corresponding date in 1920?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe number of Metropolitan police engaged on traffic duty varies from day to day, but is at present about 1,300. The corresponding figure for May, 1920, was about 780.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYDoes that figure of 1,300 represent the number of men on duty at one time or the number of men detailed for that duty in the course of the 24 hours?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI think I am correct in saying that it is the number of men on duty at one time.
§ Colonel DAYDoes that figure include the mounted police who undertake this duty?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI do not think it does. They are not on technical point duty.
§ Mr. HAYESHas the increase in these traffic duties accounted for the increase in the numbers of the police force?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSNo, I cannot say that. As the hon. Member knows, I am very anxious about the number of the Metropolitan police and I am doing all I can, consistently with economy, to make fresh arrangements so as to get the existing work more easily and better accomplished.