§ 77. Mr. GILBERTasked the Home Secretary whether the women police who 1034 are patrolling London streets are members of the Metropolitan Police Force; if so, will he state how many women constables there are and what is the rate of pay and hours of duty; and whether, if they are not members of this force, he will state what control the Chief Commissioner has over them and in what way it is given effect to?
§ Mr. SHORTTThere is a body of women police attached to the Metropolitan Police Forces and controlled by the Commissioner. This body consists of 1 superintendent, I assistant superintendent, 10 sergeants, and 100 women police. These women are paid 48s. a week; sergeants, 60s. a week; and their hours of duty are 7 hours a day for 6 days a week. There are also other unofficial bodies of so-called women police, who are not connected with the Metropolitan Police Force and not controlled by the Commissioner.
§ Mr. SHORTTThey are associations of ladies. The whole question of their employment is before a Committee.
§ Mr. SHORTTI have said it is before a Committee.
§ Mr. A. SHORTHave these people the same power as ordinary policemen of arrest?
§ Mr. SHORTT:They have no power of arrest at all.
§ Viscount CURZONHave any cases occurred in which these policewomen have been subjected to rough treatment or indignities while performing their duties?
§ Mr. SHORTTOne woman policeman suffered ill-treatment in Epping Forest. That is the only case brought to my notice.
§ Mr. WATERSONAre they allowed to join a trade union of their own?
§ Mr. SHORTTCertainly not.