HC Deb 24 October 1940 vol 365 cc1137-8
22. Miss Ward

asked the Home Secretary what response he has received from local authorities to the circular addressed to them on the subject of women police; and whether he is satisfied that they are in fact considering the question irrespective of their previous opinions and are in consultation with the appropriate military authorities?

Mr. H. Morrison

I have no doubt that police authorities are complying with the request addressed to them by my predecessor by considering this question in the light of existing conditions and consulting with the military authorities where necessary. As I stated on 8th October in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Romford (Mr. Parker), I am not at present in a position to give particulars, but I hope to be able at a later date to give some information about the steps which police authorities have decided to take.

Miss Ward

Is my right hon. Friend himself sympathetic towards the appointment of women police?

Mr. Morrison

I am always sympathetic about the appointment of women to anything.

Viscountess Astor

What is my right hon. Friend going to do about the authorities who, instead of doing what the Home Office wants them to do, do not appoint women for patrol duty but have appointed them as clerks and telephonists? Every women's society in the country—even the Labour party—have begged the Government to appoint women police, and what is being done about it?

Mr. Morrison

If my Noble Friend will let me have particulars, I will look into them, but we have not yet reached the point where a Home Secretary should give detailed instructions to local authorities. There is a point beyond which we ought not to go.

Viscountess Astor

Is it not true that you would not have had men police throughout the country if local authorities had not demanded them, and is it not going to be the same with women?

Miss Rathbone

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the appointment of women police is quite as strongly desired by many military commanders and women's organisations as a protection against the nuisance caused by loose women and silly girls who infest the neighbourhood of camps, and are a danger to the soldiers and are endangered by them?