§ 2.41 p.m.
§ EARL AMHERSTMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether it was by Police Regulations, and if not, under whose regulations, that police officers on duty outside the Palace of Westminister were obliged during the recent hot weather to wear uniform jackets, whereas police officers on point duty and in the streets but a few hundred yards away were permitted to work in shirt-sleeve order.]
§ THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE, HOME OFFICE (LORD STONHAM)My Lords, it is for the Commissioner of Police to decide in what circumstances in the Metropolitan Police District police officers may be permitted to work in shirtsleeve order. He has hitherto taken the view that officers engaged on outdoor duties within the Palace of Westminister should wear uniform jackets, but he tells me that orders have now been given enabling these officers to wear-shirt-sleeve order, if they wish, during hot weather.
§ EARL AMHERSTMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that Answer, may I say that I am most grateful to have noticed an improvement in the local scene. But would the noble Lord not agree that Parliamentary Questions sometimes result in local authorities' taking action to amend and revise old-fashioned rules and regulations rather more quickly than if the Question had not been asked?
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, if not only local authorities but all authorities 257 did not take notice of Parliamentary Questions, there would be scarcely any purpose in asking them or answering them. But I would tell the noble Earl that the fact that in recent weeks, or at any time during hot weather, a police officer has been wearing his uniform jacket, does not mean that he had no choice. Often it means that he preferred it that way. And all police officers can wear the light barathea uniform, if they so wish.
§ EARL AMHERSTMy Lords, I am delighted to hear that answer from the noble Lord.
§ BARONESS SUMMERSKILLMy Lords, could my noble friend tell me why only man wears a thick coat, a tight collar and tie in this weather?
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, I always understood that it was for much the same reason as ladies wear quite extraordinary clothing. It is a matter of convention.