§ 21. Mr. LEWISasked the Home Secretary if he will issue instructions that members of the mobile police force shall not call upon motorists to pull up in connection with offences under the Motor Car Acts unless they are wearing uniform at the time?
Mr. STANLEYIt is the general practice of members of the mobile police to wear uniform, but there may be occasions when to do so would prevent the effective carrying out of the duties on which they are engaged. In the view of my right hon. Friend, the matter is one which can properly be left to the discretion of chief officers of police, and as at present advised he does not feel called upon to suggest the adoption of a hard-and-fast rule such as my hon. Friend has in mind.
§ Mr. LEWISDoes my hon. Friend appreciate the grave danger that arises from the fact that motorists are unable to distinguish whether a person who asks them to stop is a police officer or not, 304 police officers being mistaken for bandits or bandits for police officers, with undesirable results in both cases?
Mr. STANLEYMy right hon. Friend quite appreciates the feeling that is growing up among motorists that in certain circumstances it is unwise to stop when signalled to on the road. That, of course, is a circumstance that is well within the mind of the chief officers of police, and no doubt will influence them in the use of these mobile patrols.
§ Mr. CAPORNIs there any obligation to stop if the police are not in uniform?