§ Mr. Kellyasked the Home Secretary whether he will state the number of utility vans in the service of the Metropolitan Police; and the reason why these vans are sent out with the driver only in sole charge?
§ Sir S. HoareThe number of vans in use is 66. They are driven by constables who may or may not be accompanied by other officers according to the nature of the duty being carried out. When the van is called to an emergency the driver usually takes another constable with him or picks one up on the way, but in other cases the Station Officer uses his discretion as to whether the driver should be accompanied by another constable.