asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been drawn to a company, registered at Somerset House as the Night Watch Patrol, Limited, which has for its object the setting up of a special force to guard private property; and whether it is the intention of the Government to allow the setting up of a private police force in this country?

I have been informed that there is a proposal to establish a system for the supply of night watchmen to persons, firms and companies who may wish to employ them, but I have no detailed information as to the proposal. The Government certainly could not countenance the setting up of anything in the nature of a private police force in this country.

Is it not the case that, if the right hon. Gentleman expects the police to be so busily engaged looking for lottery tickets and seditious literature this force will be necessary? Has the hon. Member put the question at the instigation of the amalgamated union of cat burglars?

Does the right hon. Gentleman not consider it to be a fact that the alteration with regard to special duties of constables, whereby these duties are now performed in public time instead of in the constables' private time, is responsible for a considerable shortage of police officers on their normal duties?

No, Sir.