HC Deb 06 February 1940 vol 357 c18
32. Mr. Davidson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Glasgow police receive revolver practice as a part of their regular training; and, if so, was this practice instituted before or after September, 1939?

Mr. Colville

No, Sir. There has been no departure from the settled policy that for ordinary police duties the police shall not carry firearms; but for certain special duties, such as the guarding of specially vulnerable points against sabotage, it has always been recognised that the police so engaged might need to carry arms. It is the duty of a chief constable to see that before any of his men are allowed to carry arms they are trained in their use, and facilities for this purpose are being provided for the limited number of members of the Glasgow police who will be engaged in such special duties.

Mr. Davidson

Has this practice been instituted since the war?

Mr. Colville

I said in my answer that there has been no departure from settled policy.