§ 14. Major COHENasked the Home Secretary whether the necessary permission may be granted this year to enable members of the police force to wear a poppy on Armistice Day?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSNo, Sir. It has been decided to adhere to the course followed hitherto.
§ Major COHENIs my right hon. Friend aware that in certain other towns in the country this permission is given, and that it does not affect the discipline of the forces, and will he hold out any hopes that it will be considered next year?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI will, of course, consider it, and as head of the police I myself shall be wearing a poppy.
§ Mr. HAYESWill the right hon. Gentleman ascertain the number of forces in the country where local permission is given for the wearing of emblems on local flag days, particularly those held to raise funds for the clothing of children, in which the police themselves, take part; and will he consider the desire of policemen generally not to be dissociated from the public on this particular day of the year?
§ Mr. MACLEANWhy is the head of the police to be allowed to wear a poppy, and not the men?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSBecause I shall not be in uniform.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSNo uniform has yet been designed for the Minister. With regard to the question of the hon. Member for Edge hill (Mr. Hayes), I do not know that I have power to direct or to interfere with the action of local watch committees in regard to this matter, and I am not at all certain that it is the view or the wish of the police as a whole, but there is a police conference next week that I shall be attending.
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYIs it not the case that the Irish Guards wear the shamrock on St. Patrick's Day?
§ Mr. W. THORNEHow does the right hon. Gentleman come to say that he is the head of the police? How can he be the head of the police?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI am very sorry to say that that is the very reason why I am answering these questions. I am responsible to this House for the Metropolitan Police Force.
§ Mr. POTTSIs the right hon. Gentleman willing to make a recommendation to that effect to the local authorities?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI really think that, as far as local provincial police forces are concerned, they are governed by watch committees, which are popularly elected bodies, and it must be left to them.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODMay I be permitted to ask the Home Secretary if he is not in favour of conforming with the rest of the heads of the police and resigning?