§ 18. Mr. COCKSasked the Home Secretary why the Commissioner of Police has issued instructions stating that candidates who secure entry into the new Metropolitan Police College must provide themselves with a dinner-jacket suit, four dress shirts, and patent shoes?
§ Sir J. GILMOURIt is quite customary to notify those entering an establishment like the Police College of the outfit which they will need when there.
§ Mr. COCKSDoes that mean that the Government have modified their policy and have no intention of creating an officer class in the police force, or does it mean that they think that criminals in future will be confined to the upper classes?
§ Mr. HERBERT WILLIAMSIs there any reason why waiters should be better dressed than policemen?
§ Mr. RHYS DAVIESDoes the right hon. Gentleman admit the suggestion in the question that these men must have four dress shirts each?
§ Sir PERCY HARRISDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that this will tend to increase the old civilian traditions of this force and inculcate in their superior officers ideas of snobbery?
§ 19. Mr. COCKSasked the Home Secretary why candidates for the new Metropolitan Police College, taking the examination in modern history, are required to pay special attention, amongst other matters, to Frederick the Great and the rise of Prussia, Bismarck and the union of Germany, and the ambitions of Louis XIV?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe syllabus for the examination for entry to the Metropolitan Police College was determined in consultation with the Civil Service Commissioners. The syllabus selected is the same as that prescribed for the Indian Police Service. It is one with which secondary schools are familiar and the subjects mentioned in the question are included with others as items designed to test the candidate's knowledge of European history in its relation to British history.
§ Mr. COCKSDoes that mean that the Government wish to inculcate the spirit of Prussianism in the police force; if not, will the right hon. Gentleman consider substituting the execution of Charles I, the downfall of the Kaiser, and the rise of English liberty?
§ Mr. ANSTRUTHER-GRAYIs it not a fact that these particular subjects are optional?
§ Mr. COCKSIs the right hon. Gentleman making arrangements to allow instruction to be given in these subjects by Herr Hitler's agents in London?