§ 18. Colonel VAUGHAN - MORGANasked the Home Secretary whether he will give comparative figures showing the strength of the Metropolitan Police Force in the various divisions for each year since 1919; and whether he can state that the present numbers are adequate to meet the great and growing task of dealing with London traffic and the additional work entailed by the growth of the population, especially in Outer London, without impairing the high standard of efficiency hitherto maintained?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSAs the answer is long and contains many figures I will, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
Following is the answer:
The total strength of all divisions at 31st October was as follows:
1094 I could hardly quote all the divisional figures in this reply, but I shall be pleased to send my hon. and gallant Friend particulars if he desires them. A full review of the police requirements of the Metropolitan Police District was conducted last year by a committee which I appointed for the purpose, and as a result of their recommendations the establishment of the Force was augmented in April last, and the divisional establishments were re-adjusted to meet existing needs. At present the Force is temporarily about 200 below the authorised establishment. The situation will be considered periodically, and I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that all the varying requirements will be taken into account.
1919 16,333 1920 18,683 1921 19,003 1922 18,436 1923 17,904 1924 18,077 1925 18,207 1926 18,867 1927 18,823