§ 17. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what duties the police officers, now employed on precautionary measures to prevent the removal of the Coronation Stone, were employed before being ordered to take up these duties; and what was their weekly salary.
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfePolice officers employed on duties of this character would normally be drawn from those 805 employed on ordinary beat, patrol and protection duties. As they would change from day to day it would not be practicable to state in detail what their salaries were and in any event it would be undesirable to publish such details as would indicate the scale of precautionary measures which the Commissioner of Police may from time to time see fit to direct.
§ Mr. HughesIs not the Home Secretary aware that there is considerable perturbation in Scotland about the very big expense this may incur, and does he not agree that that expense would be unnecessary if the stone were removed to Scotland for safe keeping? Is he also aware that there is an elaborate electrical system installed in Westminster Abbey which makes people who closely inspect the stone get in touch with Scotland Yard, and that constituents of mine will not now go to Westminster Abbey for the quiet meditation for which it is noted?
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeI am sorry about the perturbation that arises in the breasts of the hon. Gentleman and his constituents, but I think that if these are the least of their worries, they are greatly to be congratulated.
§ Mr. J. Langford-HoltWould my right hon. and learned Friend also bear in mind that there is considerable perturbation in the minds of those who move among the underworld of London concerning the precautions taken to protect the Crown Jewels also?
| RECRUITMENT OF MEN TO THE POLICE SERVICE | ||||||||||
| — | December, 1951, to February, 1952 | As at 29th February, 1952 | ||||||||
| Recruitment | Wastage | Increase (+) or decrease (-) | Authorised Establishments | Actual strengths | Deficiencies | |||||
| Counties, Cities and Boroughs | 1,215 | 564 | +651 | 51,893 | 46,479 | 5,414 | ||||
| Metropolitan Police Force | … | 295 | 189 | +106 | 19,685 | 15,642 | 4,043 | |||
| Total | … | … | … | 1,510 | 753 | +757 | 71,578 | 62,121 | *9,457 | |
| Sunderland Borough Police Force | … | … | … | … | 4 | 4 | Nil | 243 | 226 | 17 |
| * Includes 304 seconded or serving overseas. |