§ 41. Mr. Kellyasked the Home Secretary the number of policewomen in the Metropolitan Police who are engaged in keeping observation on the movements of male members of the force, and the amount of time involved in such employment during the last 12 months; whether this is a temporary or permanent phase of the duties of policewomen; and whether it is made known to policewomen at the time of their recruitment?
§ Sir S. HoareAs I explained recently to the hon. Member for Lambeth, North (Mr. G. Strauss), it is only on rare occasions that members of the Metropolitan Police Force have to be employed in keeping observation on one another. While they are not specially warned when recruited, policewomen, like any other members of the force, may be employed on such a duty if it is desirable that it should be performed by a woman. There is no record 1394 of the period of time spent by policewomen in this way during the past year.
§ Sir S. HoareI should not think that the information is available. Policewomen in this respect are treated exactly like policemen.
§ Mr. KellyHas the hon. Gentleman looked into the cases that were before the disciplinary board; can he say how many policewomen gave evidence there against constables who were dealt with by that board, and will he stop this practice of the women spying upon the men?
§ Sir S. HoareI am not prepared to treat policewomen differently from policemen. Obviously, I am not in a position to supply the details for which the hon. Gentleman has asked. Cases of this kind are, fortunately, extremely rare, and I do not see that any further action on my part is needed.