§ 115. Mr. CAIRNSasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can take steps to employ policewomen on duties such as inspection of cinemas, care of licensed children on the stage, supervision of registry offices, enforcing Children's Act, taking female prisoners to and fro, cases of child murder at birth and concealing birth, cases of indecency and immorality in Court, and similar matters?
§ Mr. SHORTTProvision is already made in the Metropolitan Police for the care of female prisoners by police matrons, and for the investigation of cases of a sexual character in which girls and children are concerned by a lady assistant who attends Court with the witnesses. A body of women patrols is also being recruited for work in the streets, and over forty are already doing duty. Some of the matters referred to in the question are under the control of the county council. Policewomen are also largely employed by county and borough police authorities who assign to them the duties they are best qualified to discharge.
§ Mr. CAIRNSDoes this apply to the whole of London?
§ Mr. SHORTTTo every police force all over the country.