§ Sir JOHN PYBUS(by Private Notice) asked the Home Secretary whether he can state the result of his inquiries regarding a circular issued to members of the Metropolitan Special Constabulary on the subject of a scheme of motor car insurance?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI have made inquiries regarding the circular my bon. Friend was good enough to bring to my notice. I find that the circular was issued from the headquarters of the Metropolitan Special Constabulary to commandants of the Special Constabulary Reserve, primarily for the information of members of the Special Constabulary who are registered as having cars which they are prepared to use on official duty. The terms of the circular have, I regret to say, given rise to misapprehension, and the Commissioner of Police has given instructions that a further circular is to be issued to the Special Constabulary. This will make it clear that the acceptance of any scheme of car insurance put forward by any insurance company or firm of insurance brokers is entirely a matter for each individual special constable. The Commissioner and Receiver are only concerned to see that before a special constable's car is used on official police duty the policy in force in respect of the car fully covers such use and in- 41 demnifies the Police Fund against any claim. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of this further circular and propose to have it printed in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. MORGAN JONESDo we understand the circular is now to be withdrawn?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe new circular which will be issued will make the position perfectly clear.
§ Following is the circular:
NOTICE.With reference to the notice issued last month to certain members of the Special Constabulary concerning motor car insurance policies, the Commissioner of Police is anxious to remove misapprehensions which have arisen as a result of this circular. The Commissioner wishes to make it perfectly clear that the acceptance of any scheme for the insurance of cars owned by special constables put forward by any insurance company or firm of insurance brokers is entirely a matter for each individual special constable. The Commissioner is only concerned to satisfy himself that, if a special constable has agreed to use his car, should occasion arise, on police duty, such use is fully covered by the policy in force in respect of the car, and that, in particular, the Receiver is indemnified against any claim arising out of an accident to the insured vehicle while so used. It should be clearly understood that so long as a special constable's policy is satisfactory from this point of view he is not under any obligation whatever to accept any particular scheme of insurance which may be brought to his notice or to change his policy from his present company. Any special constable who is in doubt on this point should refer to the Commandant of the Division to which he is attached for advice.
§ WALTER ALLEN,
§ Commandant-in-Chief, Metropolitan Special Constabulary Reserve.