§ 25. Mr. Hicksasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a number of Metropolitan motor-police patrols who have been detailed for training at Hendon have been instructed that they must separate from their families during their training and reside on police premises; and whether, as this departure from custom is causing considerable feeling amongst police and their families, he will allow the married men to return home each day as is the general practice?
§ Sir J. SimonThe advanced course of driving instruction usually takes place in the early morning or late at night, and it would be very inconvenient for the officers attending the course to have to travel to and from home at such hours. They receive weekend leave and the usual allowances in respect of absence from home. The Commissioner of Police is not aware of any feeling on the subject among the men concerned.
§ Mr. HicksWill the right hon. Gentleman consider consulting the married men on this matter? Are they not at least entitled to enjoy their leisure hours as they like? Is it intended that they should be kept in barracks? Is the distance from the place of training to their homes as great as all that?
§ Sir J. SimonEverybody, of course, will want to make the best arrangements having regard to the domestic circumstances of the men, and I will make further inquiries, but the explanation is the one I have given. The hon. Member will appreciate that advanced driving instruction is best given at the time when the roads are not much occupied. That is why it has to be done early in the morning or late at night.
Lieut.-Colonel Sandeman AllenWill my right hon. Friend arrange for Members of this House to get back to their wives at decent times?
§ Sir J. SimonThat is not what is meant by being Secretary of State for the Home Department.