§ 2.36 p.m.
§ VISCOUNT TRENCHARDMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government what is the present establishment of the Metropolitan Police; when was that establishment fixed; and how much under strength is the Metropolitan Police to-day.]
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (VISCOUNT JOWITT)My Lords, the present establishment of the force is 19,747 men and 338 women, on which there are at the moment 4,332 and 85 vacancies respectively. An increase of the C.I.D. approved in November, 1946, brought the total male establishment to 19,614 and subsequent minor variations have increased it to 19,747. The last substantial increases of the establishment of police women occurred in 1945 and 1947.
§ VISCOUNT TRENCHARDMy Lords, arising out of that answer, for which I thank the noble and learned Viscount, may I ask whether His Majesty's Government realise that if there were an overhaul of the establishment of the uniformed police, another 1,000 could be added?
§ THE LORD CHANCELLORMy Lords, I am afraid I cannot make a statement on that. The relevant matters are, of course, within the knowledge of my right honourable friend the Home Secretary. I will certainly see that the remarks which the noble Viscount has made are referred to him.
LORD GIFFORDMy Lords, arising out of that answer may I ask whether His Majesty's Government would consider the erection of more traffic lights 22 in order to save the great waste of constables on traffic point duty.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLORNo doubt that matter is under consideration.