HC Deb 07 May 1923 vol 163 cc2022-3

Section ninety-six of the Burgh Police (Scotland) Act, 1892 (which relates to the appointment of special constables), shall both as originally enacted and as extended to counties by the Special Constables (Scotland) Act, 1914, have effect as if the words "of or exceeding the age of twenty years" were substituted for the words "between the ages of twenty and fifty" and the words "for a period not exceeding six months" were omitted.

Mr. SPEAKER

With regard to the Amendment on the Paper in the name of the hon. Member for Bridgeton Division of Glasgow (Mr. Maxton)—to leave out the words "of or exceeding the age of twenty years" and insert "between the ages of thirty and sixty"—that should come in as a new Clause instead of an Amendment to Clause 4 which applies to Scotland. It would be quite impracticable to fix different age limits in different parts of the country.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

I was interested in this Clause also, and may I point out that we might use this as a means of getting a declaration from the Home Secretary on the question of enrolment and ages?

Mr. SPEAKER

That could be done equally well on Third Reading.

Mr. NICHOL

Even as the Bill stands, there is a distinction between Scotland and England in the matter of ages. In England there are no age limits, whereas in Scotland there is a minimum limit.

Mr. SPEAKER

I do not think that is so. The words "of or exceeding the age of twenty years" apply to both countries.