39. Captain BENNasked the Home Secretary what witnesses appeared before the Geddes Committee to give an account of the work of the women patrol; and whether any members of the women's force were called?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe Committee consulted the Commissioner of Police and myself. No witnesses from the force were called. It must be remembered that the question was not as to the efficiency or usefulness of the women police, but whether the work was of such a nature that it ought to be maintained at the expense of the State in a time of extreme financial stringency.
Captain BENNDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that the Committee was in a position to come to a fair decision when he himself would not permit members of the women patrol to give evidence?
§ Mr. SHORTTThere is no ground or foundation for the suggestion that I would not permit it. The Committee did not require it; they had all the evidence that they required.
Captain BENNDid not the right hon. Gentleman say that after consultation with him it was decided that no members of the patrol should give evidence?
§ Mr. SHORTTNo, I did not say anything of the sort. I said that the Committee consulted the Commissioner of Police and myself, but I never said that they had asked permission to consult anyone else.
§ 70. Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the Home Secretary whether, on the disbandment of the women patrols division of the Metropolitan Police, the dismissed policewomen will be entitled to life pensions at the rate of two-thirds of their salaries; whether, in view of the acknowledged value of their preventive work, and of the doubtful economy of their disbandment, he will reconsider his decision; what is the total annual cost of this force; and what will be the total annual cost for pensions when it is disbanded?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe women patrols will not be entitled to pensions on disbandment. The recommendation of the Geddes Committee is one which, as I have already explained, I feel bound to carry out, and I regret I do not see my way to depart from that decision. The present cost of the patrols is about £27,000 per annum. There will be no charge for pensions.