HC Deb 10 July 1930 vol 241 cc758-9

Amendments made: In page 49, line 30, leave out the word "costs," and insert instead thereof the word "expenses."

In line 32, leave out the word "motor."—[Mr. Herbert Morrison.]

Mr. HERBERT MORRISON

I beg to move, in page 49, line 35, at the end, to insert the words: (4) Advances may be made out of the Road Fund towards any expenses incurred by a police authority in the provision and maintenance of vehicles or equipment for use by the police force in connection with the enforcement of this Act. (5) The provisions of the Development and Road Improvement Funds Act, 1909, as amended by any subsequent enactment, shall apply in relation to advances made under sub-sections (3) and (4) of this section as they apply in relation to advances to a highway authority under Part II of the said Act. In this Amendment, the new Sub-section (4) enables grants to be made from the Road Fund towards the cost of mobile police units. The establishment of such units, as I informed the House in the debate on the speed limit, is, in my judgment, of great importance for the enforcement of the provisions of the Act, with respect, for example, to dangerous driving, and this new Sub-section will enable contributions to be made out of the Road Fund for that purpose. The new Sub-section (5) imports the usual provisions, for example, the obtaining of Treasury sanction in respect of the advances to be made under the provisions of Sub-sections (3) and (4).

Mr. HALL-CAINE

Should I be in order in asking whether these mobile police will be in uniform or in plain clothes? Could the Minister inform us on that point?

Mr. SPEAKER

I do not know that that point arises on this Amendment.

Mr. HERBERT MORRISON

This Amendment certainly enables me to contribute out of the Road Fund towards the motor cycles and motor cars required for this purpose, but it does not enable me to contribute to uniforms, so perhaps I could ride off by saying that that is not my business. I am not speaking for the Home Office, but I assume that certainly in the ordinary way, and I should think nearly always, these police, when they are engaged on traffic duties, will be in uniform; but it will be appreciated that such police might be used from time to time in connection with the detection of crime where the criminal has the advantage of motor appliances, and in cases of that kind, and when they are looking for bandits, I think the House would probably agree that it would be better that they should not be in uniform.

Amendment agreed to.