§ 14. Mr. NEIL MACLEANasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that Chief Constable Roy, of Kilmarnock, upon whose authority the police constables were warned of the consequences if they were seen speaking to the dismissed constables, has since informed several of the constables that they were to regard it as a joke and treat it accordingly; and if this is a disciplinary offence against police regulations, as being unduly familiar with his subordinates?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI am informed that the statement contained in the Member's question is entirely without foundation. The second part, accordingly, does not arise.
§ Mr. MACLEANIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Chief Constable paraded the constables in his office and told them that? Does the Chief Constable deny that?
§ Sir J. GILMOURMy information is that the statement in this question is entirely inaccurate.
§ Mr. MACLEANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have in my possession a statement signed by 29 constables in Kilmarnock stating that that is the case?
§ 16. Mr. MACLEANasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has received a resolution from the Paisley Town Council asking for powers to be vested in town councils in Scotland over police administration similar to those at present possessed by watching and lighting committees in England; whether he is aware 1136 that a similar resolution has been submitted as a notice of motion for discussion at the next meeting of the Kilmarnock Town Council; and whether he can state what action he has taken or is prepared to take regarding the resolution from the Paisley Town Council?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the negative. I have, however, received a resolution passed by Paisley Town Council in favour of provision being made for a Court of Appeal against decisions of Chief Constables in important disciplinary cases, which may be the resolution referred to by the hon. Member. On this assumption I may state that the proposals put forward relative to such a Court of Appeal, and still under consideration, do not contemplate vesting any powers in town councils.
§ Mr. MACLEANDoes not the right hon. Gentleman consider it an anomaly that in England the watching and lighting committees have such powers, whereas in Scotland they have none, and will he, as Secretary for Scotland, do his best to see that the police burghs in Scotland have similar powers to those in England?
§ Sir J. GILMOURWe shall be following the recommendations of the Committee which considered these matters in taking the line I suggest.
§ Mr. MACLEANIs the right hon. Gentleman going to accept the recommendations of that Committee?
§ Sir J. GILMOURNo, Sir, I have said clearly that the matter is under consideration.