Mr. MYERSasked the Home Secretary whether any city, corporation, or municipal borough have been requested or advised by his Department to add a number of mounted police to their force in any case where such local authority had previously decided that mounted police were unnecessary in their area; and whether, in any case, the provision of mounted police has been made a condition for the efficiency certificate and grant by his Department towards the maintenance of the force in any locality where mounted police had not hitherto been provided?
Sir J. BAIRDIn January, 1920, my right hon. Friend had occasion to communicate on this subject with the Birmingham City Council, who had rejected a recommendation of the Watch Committee for the establishment of a mounted branch. Since then, a modified scheme has been approved by the Council, but I understand that difficulties have arisen in giving effect to it and it is in abeyance for the present. In no case has a certificate of efficiency been withheld because of the absence of mounted men.