HC Deb 22 June 1896 vol 41 cc1542-3
MR. R. G. WEBSTER (St. Pancras, E.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether in future arrangements can be made for the issue of light clothing for the Metropolitan police during the summer months, from 31st May to 31st August, as has already been done in several counties?

SIR ALBERT ROLLIT (Islington, S.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he can see his way to recommend the adoption of more suitable clothing and helmets for the police during the summer?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY,) Lancashire, Blackpool

I can assure the hon. Members that I am anxious to do anything, so far as it may lie in my power, that will conduce to the comfort of the force during such weather as has prevailed lately; inquiries with this end in view are being made at the present time. At the same time there are considerable difficulties, chiefly of cost, which will amount, it is estimated, to £14,000 or £15,000 for light tunics alone; and I may point out to the hon. Members that the conditions of service for the police in the Metropolis are not exactly similar to those prevailing in the country, where the beats are much longer and the heat in consequence more severely felt.

MR. WOOTTON ISAACSON (Tower Hamlets, Stepney)

I beg to ask whether it is not advisable to change the uniform for policemen on point duty?

SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY

I think it would be difficult to make any distinction in the uniform of policemen on different duties.

MR. R. G. WEBSTER

asked whether it was proposed to take steps in the direction of a change this year or next year?

SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY

said it was too late to do so this year, but he was anxiously considering whether it was possible financially to make some change next year.