§ SIR HENRY HAVELOCK-ALLAN (Durham, S.E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether, in consequence of the extreme heat of the weather, he will take into consideration the advisability of allowing the London police to wear temporarily a white cover to their helmets, and of issuing to them a serge frock or other light and cool dress, better adapted for the performance of their duties in an almost tropical temperature than their present heavy tunic, as is done in many boroughs in England and in New York and other cities in America?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY,) Lancashire, BlackpoolI have already stated that this question of allowing the, London police to wear a cooler summer dress is engaging my attention, and though I cannot admit that the circumstances in the metropolis are altogether similar to those in the counties, by some of which the lighter clothing has been adopted, much less to those in the American cities to which the hon. Member alludes, I am making inquiries and considering whether it will be possible for me to do anything in the direction which the hon. Member and other Members of this House desire.