HC Deb 31 March 1938 vol 333 c2172
50. Mr. McEntee

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the differences in organisation, plans of action in the detection and prevention of crime, and conditions of service of serving police officers, and also in view of the growing financial and other difficulties now being experienced by some local police authorities to provide adequate means and equipment to cope with the modern criminals, he will take the necessary steps to bring all police forces within the United Kingdom under a single national control?

Sir S. Hoare

No, Sir. I do not accept the hon. Member's premises, and I do not consider that there is any occasion for a radical change such as he suggests to a totalitarian form of organisation.

Mr. McEntee

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider the Army, Navy and Air Force totalitarian?

Sir S. Hoare

I would draw a very marked distinction between a fighting service and a civilian force.

Mr. McEntee

Is not the Post Office totalitarian?

Mr. Holdsworth

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the report made to the House by a Select Committee to the last Parliament which refuted the suggestion of a national police force?