§ 29. Mr. McEnteeasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that cases have occurred in which intending applicants for chief constableships, who have had no previous police experience, have been granted permission to attend at some police headquarters in order to gain experience with a view to satisfying that requirement of the statutory police regulations; and, in view of a recent decision that experience gained in this way does not satisfy the statutory regulations, will he issue a memorandum to chief constables and police authorities indicating 929 that they should not grant permission to such persons or any other person who has not the powers, duties and responsibilities of a constable?
§ Sir J. AndersonIt is, I think, generally recognised that experience of this character does not constitute police experience for the purposes of the police regulations, but in case there still exists any misunderstanding, I propose, in accordance with the hon. Member's suggestion, to send copies of this Question and answer to all police authorities and chief constables.
§ 30. Mr. McEnteeasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Commander the Honourable R. D. Coleridge, R.N., retired, attended the West Sussex police headquarters for a short time prior to his making application for the chief constableship of Bedfordshire; and whether his permission or authority was given for this procedure?
§ Sir J. AndersonThe answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, my permission was not required and was not sought.