CAPTAIN FABERI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state whether it is obligatory for the police serving in Scotland, Ireland, and Wales to talk the native language of those countries.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. GLADSTONE,) Leeds, W.The conditions of service in each of the Welsh police forces are laid down by the local police authorities, with whose discretion in this matter I have no authority to interfere. I have no reason to doubt that the responsible authorities are fully alive to the necessity of ensuring that police officers should be able to speak the language current in the district where they are stationed. With regard to Scottish and Irish forces, the hon. Member should address his inquiry to the Secretary for Scotland and the Chief Secretary for Ireland.
§ MR. GLADSTONEI can add nothing to my Answer.