§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that in areas such as the London borough of Newham where there are large immigrant populations there are stresses and strains because of the lack of housing, schools, teachers, communal halls, parks and open spaces and social amenities in general and that this is causing difficulties to the depleted police forces in enforcing the law, particularly regarding offences referred to as muggings; and whether he will take action to increase police patrols in such areas by increasing the manpower allocations.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe deployment of his officers is a matter for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, who assures me that within the resources he704W has available he is doing everything possible to provide adequate police coverage, especially in areas in which street crime is a particular problem. I am doing what I can to assist him in the vigorous recruitment campaign he is conducting.