Mr. FRED HALL (Dulwich)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the strength of the Metropolitan Police force on 31st December, 1909; what are the present numbers; and whether, in fixing the numbers, regard is had to the requests for assistance received from time to time from districts outside the Metropolitan Police area?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe authorised strength on 31st December, 1909, was 18,661; on the 15th June, 1912, it was 20,238. Increases in the strength of the Metropolitan Police force are determined solely by the requirements of the Metropolitan Police area.
Mr. FRED HALLasked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the allegations by the men's leaders in the transport strike as to the conduct of the Metropolitan Police; if he has been furnished with the specific cases on which such charges have been based; if he is satisfied that the allegations are as a whole unfounded; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take with a view to the public vindication of the police?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe complaints as to the conduct of the Metropolitan Police made by the Strike Committee were specified in a question addressed to me by the hon. Member for South-West Ham on the 10th of June; and in my reply to that question I stated the result of my inquiries with regard to them. A special inquiry with regard to the action of the police in a street disturbance at Rotherhithe is now pending, and one or two minor complaints are being investigated; but no other complaints of a serious character have reached me, and I do not think that the conduct of the police generally during the strike1460W require any vindication. The public, I am sure, fully recognises that they have performed difficult and trying duties with firmness, patience and tact.
Mr. FRED HALLasked the Home Secretary if, in response to requests for protection during the present transport strike, he has informed any association of employers that the services of the Metropolitan Police would be afforded in cases of illegal intimidation; and whether any instructions have been issued to the police to enable them to distinguish between legal and illegal intimidation?
§ Mr. McKENNAYes, Sir, the police have instructions as to the action they should take in those cases of intimidation which are criminal within the terms of Section 7 of the Conspiracy and Protection of Property Act, 1875, as well as in cases of threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour within Section 54 of the Metropolitan Police Act, 1839.