HC Deb 05 February 1931 vol 247 cc2097-8
35. Viscountess ASTOR

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the appointment of women police for the greater protection of women and children on Blackheath?

Mr. CLYNES

Policewomen have already been posted to the Blackheath area as part of the measures recently taken to increase the number of police employed there.

Viscountess ASTOR

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he has agreed to patrols for Clapham, Streatham and Tooting Bec Commons, and other places?

Mr. SPEAKER

That ought to be the subject of another question.

41. Mr. PALMER

asked the Home Secretary what steps he proposes to take to afford greater police protection in the Metropolitan Police area to women after dark on Blackheath and other lonely places and country roads; whether he will consider how far the present police patrol is insufficient; and whether he will consider mounted police on cars and cycles covering a wider area at more frequent intervals?

Mr. CLYNES

The force of police on duty on and around Blackheath has already been specially increased. As regards the police district generally, the question how the number of men available can be employed so as to give the greatest measure of protection is constantly under review, and the possibility of further developing the use of motor vehicles is not being overlooked. I may add that although the recently instituted motor patrols are mainly concerned with traffic matters, their presence on the roads has undoubtedly afforded some additional measure of protection.

Mr. PALMER

Has the Home Secretary considered the possibility of danger from the mounted police being concentrated too much on traffic control to the prejudice of the proper control of these country areas?

Mr. CLYNES

That is a detail of which I should require notice.

Sir A. POWNALL

Has the right hon. Gentleman consulted public authorities—for instance, the local borough councils—with regard to his suggestion?

Mr. CLYNES

I have drawn my information from the usual sources, but I will inquire into that point.

Viscountess ASTOR

Will the Home Secretary consider the appointment of a woman inspector of constabulary at the Home Office? If he did so, would not she have all authority to see that all these parks and places are properly protected by women police?

Mr. CLYNES

I know of no difficulty in the matter due to lack of effective inspectors.

Viscountess ASTOR

Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise that we have been pressing for a woman inspector of constabulary at the Home Office? That would really make it much easier for women to go about the country.

Sir F. HALL

In view of the number of cases in which it has been impossible to trace those who have been responsible for murders, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of giving greater powers to the police, in order that they may have an opportunity of making all inquiries they think advisable?

Mr. CLYNES

I am advised that there is no ground of complaint in respect of their powers, or their lack of powers; and the cases have been very few indeed under the control of the Home Office.

Colonel HOWARD-BURY

Is it not the case that the police are very much handicapped by the new Regulations issued with regard to inquiries?

Mr. CLYNES

I have previously answered that question in the negative.