§ 31. Mr. Leaveyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many policemen are normally on duty in and around the Palace of Westminster.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerWhen Parliament is in session there are normally up to 69 police officers on duty at any one time in and around the Palace of Westminster. When Parliament is not in session the number does not exceed 20.
§ Mr. LeaveyI am very grateful for that figure, but since it reveals that the policing here is on a fairly lavish scale, may I ask my right hon. Friend to consider consulting those concerned to see whether all these police officers are as usefully employed as they could be, having regard to the fact that in the Metropolitan area the police services are still below establishment? Would my right hon. Friend recognise that, while we know of a number of police officers here whose work is invaluable, it might be possible that others are not so fully employed?
§ Mr. ButlerThese figures apply to officers on beats and road crossings near the Palace of Westminster and apply to Mondays to Fridays only. I think that in the circumstances the police look after us very well.