Mr. WINTERTONasked the Home Secretary what was the strength of the mounted branch of the Metropolitan Police Force, and the various grades, in July, 1914; what is the strength now; how many horses were attached in 1914 and now; how many were allotted to the 369W use of superintendents and patrolling officers and how many to ordinary patrol work; what are the duties of the mounted branch; how many men and horses are attached to the reserve stables; what was the cost of the branch in July, 1914; and what is the cost now per annum?
Sir H. SAMUELOn account of changes in organisation, it is not possible to give figures which are precisely comparable, but, approximately, the strength of the mounted branch in 1914 and at present may be stated as follows:
Strength on 5th July, 1914: Sub-Divisional Inspector 1 Inspectors 3 Station Sergeant (Instructor) 1 Section Sergeants 7 Acting Sergeants (including one Instructor) 23 Constables (including 11 Instructors) 252 287 (These figures do not include 52 constables who were employed part-time as grooms in connection with the mounted branch nor the Chief Inspector and the 32 sub-divisional inspectors who also gave part of their time to mounted duties.)
Strength at present: District Inspectors, ranking as Sub-divisional Inspectors 5 Inspectors 3 Station Sergeants 5 Section Sergeants 13 Constables (including six Instructors, 14 Uniform Strappers and eight Grooms) 230 256 On 5th July, 1914, there were 343 horses on the strength of the branch, of which 49 were ridden by four chief constables, 12 superintendents, one Chief Inspector, 32 sub-divisional inspectors, and 273 on patrol duties, the remaining 21 being attached to the reserve stables. The present strength of horses is 240, which is five less than the present authorized establishment. In addition to daily routine duties, mainly on patrol, the mounted branch is regularly employed in connection with the regulation and supervision of traffic, and is able to 370W render particularly valuable assistance to the foot police in the handling of large crowds. The present training establishment, formerly designated the reserve stables, includes nine men and 20 horses. In reply to the last two parts of the question, the present annual cost is approximately £100,000. I regret that I cannot give corresponding figures for the pre-War cost, because the branch was not then organised as a separate establishment.