HC Deb 17 October 1940 vol 365 cc816-7
29. Mr. Glenvil Hall

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that some chief constables are using the powers conferred upon them by the Police and Firemen (Employment) Order, which came into force on 22nd June last, to retain men who are anxious to enter, or to return to, the Armed Forces or Mercantile Marine; and whether he will call the attention of chief constables to the desirability of releasing such men where the local police force is up to strength, or can be augmented by older men without loss of efficiency?

Mr. H. Morrison

Generally speaking, a trained police officer can best serve the country in the existing situation by remaining in the police force. There may be cases in which policemen possess special qualifications for service in the Armed Forces or the M[...]rcantile Marine, and I have no reason to doubt that chief officers of police will be ready to exercise their discretion sympathetically in any such case. I am satisfied, however, that it would be contrary to the public interest to permit police officers generally to leave their forces.

Mr. Hall

Is my right hon. Friend aware that certain chief constables are using this authority in an arbitrary way? Would it not be possible to call attention to the fact that they should let men go into the Armed Forces and the Mercantile Marine, when desirable, rather than keep them in the police force?

Mr. Morrison

The authority was given in order that it could be used. While there may be cases where a sympathetic view should be taken, I do not want to move, or appear to be moving, from the position that, in general, it is best that members of the police forces should remain where they are.