§ Mr. ALFRED DAVIES (Clitheroe)asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the case of ex-Constable Whitehead, who is under notice to leave his premises at No. 6, Henderson House, Huntley Street; whether this man has been unable to find other accommodation for his wife and three children, and if evicted will have to seek refuge in the workhouse; and whether he will consider an extension of time being granted to enable this man to find other premises?
§ Mr. SHORTTEx-Constable Whitehead has been allowed to remain in these premises since August last, and his continued occupation of quarters to which he has no right is unfair to the police officer who should be occupying thorn and who has been obliged to live at a distance from his work. I am informed that Whitehead has now obtained other accommodation and has promised to give up possession of the police premises to-day. If so, it will not be necessary to enforce the order of ejectment.
Lieut.-Colonel MALONEasked the Home Secretary (1) whether he is aware of the scarcity of housing accommodation for police officers, especially in the West and West Central districts of London; whether he is aware that policemen who have of necessity been acting as caretakers are now being compelled to leave the premises in which they have been caretaking through the letting of these premises; whether he is aware of the difficulty for these men to obtain suitable quarters and the consequent severe hardships imposed on their families: and whether any steps are being taken to find suitable accommodation for these men, either in permanent police quarters or temporary premises,
1556W(2) How many married quarters have been provided, for police officers in the West Central district, and how many sets of quarters are occupied by officers of higher rank than station sergeant; whether any men of lower rank and lower remuneration are thus kept out of quarters by the occupancy thereof by higher-paid grades; and whether anything is being done to meet the needs of the lower grade men?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe lack of housing accommodation is severely felt by the police in common with other classes of the community. A Committee has been appointed to consider the matter, and, in the meanwhile, all possible steps are being taken in the direction indicated. A pro portion of the accommodation available must be allocated to superior grades to meet the imperative need of having responsible officers always available to deal with emergencies that may arise at any hour. I do not think that I can properly undertake to give details with regard to a part of the Metropolitan Police District in isolation from the rest.