§ 82. Sir J. Langford-Holtasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will reduce the numbers of all ranks engaged on the Bank of England picquet with a view to making good the 30 per cent. reduction made since October, 1959, in the numbers of all ranks guarding Buckingham Palace while Her Majesty is in residence there.
§ Mr. ProfumoThe size of the Bank Picquet is directly related to the number of sentries it is required to furnish, which is governed by the security requirements of the Bank of England. It could only be reduced by posting the guardsmen on sentry for longer periods which I do not consider necessary or desirable.