§ 22. Mr. DAYasked the Secretary of State for War for how many years the military guard supplied to the Bank of England has regularly carried out these 231 duties; what has been the extent of same; has any contribution towards the cost of this guard ever been defrayed by the Bank of England; and whether any other banks have ever applied for and/or been supplied with a similar military protection?
Mr. COOPERA military guard has been supplied to the Bank of England for over 150 years. It was originally composed of one officer and 29 other ranks but was reduced to one officer and 24 other ranks in 1900. No payment is made by the bank to Army Funds in respect of the cost of this guard. No record can be traced of any other bank having applied for or been supplied with a guard in similar circumstances.
§ Mr. DAYWill the Minister consider suggesting to the Governors of the Bank of England that they should provide their own private guard and dispense with the military?
§ Mr. THURTLEWill the Minister consider the wisdom of utilising this guard in a more useful form of national defence?