Mr. Davidsonasked the Home Secretary the number of experienced uniformed police and detective officers called to the Armed Forces during the past six months, giving particular figures for the whole London area; and whether this calling up has resulted in any increase of crime in London suburban districts?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonI do not think it would be in the public interest to disclose how many policemen are released for Army service from particular areas. As regards the second part of the Question, I am informed that crime has not increased in London during the last six months. In the Metropolitan Police District there has in fact been a reduction of 9.1 per cent. as compared with the corresponding period in 1940–41 and 10.2 per cent. as compared with the corresponding period in 1938–39.