§ 10. Mr. RHYS DAV1ESasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his approval has been given to the employment on ordinary duties of the Special Constabulary; and whether the employment at any time of members of this force is in uniform or plain clothes at the option of either the police authority or the special constables?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir Herbert Samuel)I have already explained in reply to previous questions that the Metropolitan Special Constabulary have not been asked to offer their services for ordinary duties: the position is that an opportunity has been afforded for a few at a time to volunteer for a short period of training, in uniform or plain clothes as may be more appropriate. When they are called up for emergency or ceremonial duty those who have uniform wear it.
§ 11. Mr. McENTEEasked the Home Secretary whether equipment and warrant cards are withdrawn from special constables on severing their connection with the force; and, if so, in how many cases has this not been carried out?
§ Sir H. SAMUELAll members of the Metropolitan special constabulary reserve are required to return their equipment and warrant cards on resignation, and this is in fact done except in cases in which special constables cannot be traced at the addresses which they have given. There is no record of the number of such cases.