§ Sir G. Foxasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he proposes to take to improve police protection in the Metropolitan area; why within ten miles of Hyde Park in four square miles of built-up area only three policemen are sometimes sent out on twelve beats at night; and if this is the usual practice.
§ Mr. EdeThe Metropolitan Police Force, in common with others, is at present below the normal establishment, but arrangements have been made to secure the early return of constables from the Armed Forces and to accelerate recruitment. It would not be proper for me to disclose the detailed arrangements for policing a particular area; but it is misleading to assess the degree of police protection only from the number of constables who are seen in uniform on beat duty. A considerable number of men, in uniform and plain clothes, operate in other ways and extensive use is made of motor and wireless patrols.