§ 16. Mr. MACQUISTENasked the Home Secretary whether, seeing that owing to the weight of the cloth of which the uniforms are, made the police suffer in hot weather, he will arrange either to clothe them in drill or thin blue cloth or permit them to dispense with their tunics and wear a white shirt when 1247 on duty during the heat wave, whereby they would be cooler and more visible in traffic?
§ Sir J. GILM0URAs regards the Metropolitan Police, I have nothing to add to my previous replies. Elsewhere the matter is within the discretion of the chief constable.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENIs it not the case that a policeman's uniform is exactly the same in summer as in winter; that there is a total disregard of climatic conditions?
§ Sir J. GILMOURNo, Sir; that is not the case. There are two kinds of uniform.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENWill the right hon. Gentleman examine the cloth which policemen are now wearing as I have done? It is about three times the consistency of the cloth any hon. Member in this House, other than myself, is wearing?
§ Mr. HOLFORD KNIGHTWill the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries in the provinces as to what arrangements are made there during the hot weather to help the police in the performance of their heavy duties?
§ Sir J. GILMOURAs I have already explained in my previous answer, in the case of excessive hot or cold weather measures are taken to clothe the police according to the circumstances.
§ Mr. KNIGHTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the unfavourable impression created in London by the uncomfortable clothing worn in hot weather by the police?