§ 34. Mr. LYLEasked the Home Secretary the exact intentions of the authorities with respect to the appointment of women police; whether, if this body is placed upon a statutory footing, he proposes to confer on it the right of arrest in respect to both sexes; and whether sufficient time has elapsed to enable it to be said with certainty that the male police force is inadequate to discharge its varied duties.
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Shortt)I have circulated to the police authorities the Report of the Committee on the Employment of Women on Police Duties, but I am not yet in a position to say how far all the recommendations in the Report can be carried out. The question of arrest by women police in particular requires further consideration. There is no reason to think the men police are inadequate to discharge their duties, but there are certain branches of their work in which the women police can give them valuable assistance.
Sir J. D. REESIs it the opinion of the men police that the women can give them valuable assistance? May I ask, further, if the Government is committed to this expensive experiment?
§ Mr. SHORTTI do not know that it is an expensive experiment. The Government are not committed to anything.
Sir J. D. REESWill any opportunity be afforded to the House of discussing the matter? Does the right hon. Gentleman know the opinion held as to the extravagance of continuing this experiment in time of peace?
§ Mr. SHORTTI am not aware of any extravagance.