§ Mr. WATERSONasked the Home Secretary whether contracts have been placed, or are contemplated, for the building of police barracks or quarters, 1985W either in London or the provinces; whether the plans aim at segregating the various ranks such as inspectors, sergeants, and constables; whether residence in police barracks or quarters will be compulsory; and whether recreation rooms and canteens are to be established as in military or naval barracks?
§ Mr. SHORTTIn the Metropolitan Police more than nine-tenths of the single men of the force are already provided with quarters in section houses. Only a very small proportion of the married men live in quarters at present. It has recently been decided to build blocks of quarters for married men and their families in the inner districts, where there is very acute difficulty in finding suitable accommodation. So far, only two contracts have been placed, for 54 sots of quarters, but I hope that others may be placed shortly. It is not proposed to segregate the different ranks, and residence in quarters will not be compulsory for married men. Recreation rooms and canteens (the latter being managed by the men themselves) are provided in section houses, but not in married quarters. I am not in a position to give any details of the building schemes of provincial police authorities.