§ 18. Sir WALTER PRESTONasked the Home Secretary if he is aware that upon a burglary taking place in Wandsworth a few days since, the police being notified over the telephone, 35 minutes elapsed before an officer attended on the premises burgled, although a point-duty man was within an eighth of a mile and the police station only about a mile 523 distant; and whether a remedy can be found for such delays?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSYes, Sir. Such delays, which I agree are regrettable, are largely a matter of transport facilities. I have recently taken the whole question up with the Commissioner.
§ Sir THOMAS WATTSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is not the only case where a delay of half-an-hour or so occurred before the arrival of the police, after they had been telephoned for, and that they were within easy reach?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSIt is difficult to say whether I have knowledge of other occasions. Perhaps the hon. Member will give me knowledge. I am doing my best, in conjunction with the new Commissioner of Police, to provide the fullest transport necessary to bring the whole establishment of the Police Force up to the most modern requirements.