asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the present deficiency in the numbers of the Metropolitan Police Force.

Three thousand, eight hundred and eighty-three men and three women.

What action does the Home Secretary propose to take to meet this deficiency? Will he further consider raising the age limit, even if only by a few years?

I have already been asked a question today about the age limit, and what I said in reply to that applies to this force as well as to the provincial forces. There has been a steady improvement in the numbers of the force, and I hope that that will continue. We take steps by advertisement, and in other ways, to bring the conditions of employment in this force to the notice of suitable people. I am also glad to say that we are making some advance in the provision of housing, which has been one of the great difficulties in the past.

Will the right hon. Gentleman elaborate that answer because I understood that he was responsible only for the Metropolitan Police Force? Does he accept responsibility for the provincial forces as well?

No, Sir. The Question is directed to the Metropolitan Police Force.

The right hon. Gentleman's answer referred to provincial forces.

I hope I can remove any misapprehension. I was asked by an hon. Member a Question about police forces generally, and I gave an answer. I wanted to apply that answer to the circumstances of the Metropolitan Police Force without repeating it in detail.