§ MR. BELLAIRS (Lynn Regis)To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Board are willing to try the experiment in one fleet or squadron of dispensing altogether with ship's police, and rely for the maintenance of 843 discipline for one year on the petty officers and non-commissioned officer ratings, the results being then compared with those obtained in other fleets, with the view to the total abolition of the police force afloat.
(Answered by Mr. Edmund Robertson.) The Board have under consideration certain proposals concerning the duties of petty officers which will affect the present regulations as to the employment of ship's police, and in the meanwhile it is not proposed to act on the suggestion of the hon. Member.