§ Mr. PIKEasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that in industrial areas throughout the country the ordinary street and patrol duties of the police forces are curtailed as the result of their services being transferred to schools for the safe transport of children leaving for and returning from meals, and that many constables who have been on night duty have been recalled for special school duty; and if he will institute an immediate inquiry, with a view to strengthening the forces where these discrepancies exist and, if necessary, take steps to appoint an auxiliary force to replace constables employed on that duty?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI am aware that in various places patrol duties are so arranged that constables will be available for this purpose, though I do not think there is any regular practice of recalling night duty men. Local police authorities have been pressed in some instances to provide additional men for the purpose, but neither they nor I regard such intermittent requirements as justifying permanent additions to the force and the heavy increase of cost which they would entail. The question whether any alternative arrangements are practicable is being explored.