§ 5. Mr. Skeffingtonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what number the Metropolitan Police Force is under strength.
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeThe deficiency on 3rd May was 3,634 men and 16 women.
§ Mr. SkeffingtonCan the Minister say how far this may be due to difficulties of finding accommodation?
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeWe are working very hard to increase the number of houses available for both married and single members of the Force, and I recently opened a new block of married quarters at Ebury Street which will accommodate some 60 families. I have this matter very much in mind, as it was in the mind of my predecessor.
§ Mr. EdeCan the right hon. and learned Gentleman say whether the all-too-slow but still steady improvement in the numbers that arose after Sir Malcolm Trustram Eve's recommendations with regard to increased pay still continues?
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeBroadly, it still continues. It happens that the last two months have been less good because of the number of those leaving the Force, but I would remind the House that the Metropolitan Police Force has had 11,500 recruits since the end of the war, and I think that the improvement is continuing. Naturally one is trying one's best to make it better every day.