HC Deb 23 May 1940 vol 361 c288
24. Mr. Salt

asked the Home Secretary whether in view of the danger to the State which may arise from persons assisting Germans arriving in our country by parachutes, he will have a systematic search made of all households which the police consider contain individuals whose loyalty is uncertain?

Sir J. Anderson

The police do not hesitate to use the powers of search conferred on them by the Defence Regulations and statutory provisions and they do not require any further instructions.

25. Mr. Salt

asked the Home Secretary whether the police can be supplied with firearms?

34. Sir T. Moore

asked the Home Secretary whether any decision has yet been reached as to whether it is desirable to arm all or any part of the police force of this country in view of the parachutist menace?

Sir J. Anderson

Special steps have been taken to increase the arms available for the use of the police. While there is no intention of turning the police into a combatant force, it is desirable that many of them should be armed for their own protection and for purposes connected with the duties they have to perform in guarding certain places.

Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the Royal Ulster Constabulary have been armed since the outbreak of the war and that they have never used those arms?

Sir J. Anderson

I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that I am well aware of that.