HC Deb 18 February 1941 vol 369 cc15-6
27. Mr. Dobbie

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, under what authority a chief constable refuses admittance of a citizen to membership of a special con stabulary, and at the same time refuses to give reasons for such refusal; whether he has any further statement to make in regard to railway man H. Griffin of Greenock, who made such application and was rejected, and the reason thereof refused; and whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction prevalent among railway- men about this case?

Mr. Johnston

The appointment of special constables is made by the magistrates in terms of Statute, but the recruitment of personnel is invariably left to the discretion of the chief constable, who is under no obligation to disclose to an applicant the grounds of his decision in selecting candidates. As regards the case referred to, I am unable to add further information to my predecessor's reply to the representations submitted by my hon. Friend.

Mr. Dobbie

In view of the facts, that this kind of complaint is being extended, especially in regard to railwaymen, that my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Greenock (Mr. R. Gibson) has already raised the Question and had no satisfaction, and that the railwaymen's union feel very concerned about the matter, is the Minister not prepared to review the situation with the object of giving further instructions to chief constables, as railwaymen, in particular, feel that this is a precedent creeping into the government of the country?

Mr. Johnston

The point at the moment is that these matters are dealt with by Statute. It would obviously be a matter of great difficulty to lay down the rule that any applicant, whether railwayman or any other applicant, should be given a reason —

Mr. Buchanan

Why not?

Mr. Johnston

I say that it would be difficult for any Government to make any such rule, particularly when the Statute gives all the authority in the matter.

Mr. Dobbie

In view of the tremendous dissatisfaction, not only among railway-men but among other workers in the country, will not the right hon. Gentleman give the matter more consideration than he has given it up to the moment?

Mr. Johnston

It would require an amendment of the Statute.

Mr. Buchanan

Could not the right hon. Gentleman re-examine this matter and, as far as is within his power, make a recommendation to chief constables to reconsider this matter, in the light of the facts that have been placed before us?

Mr. Johnston

I have already explained that no power is vested in the Secretary of State to interfere with magistrates in their discretion. [Interruption.] I say that there is no power. Whether there ought to be or not is another matter.

Mr. Buchanan

Is it not a common occurrence that Ministers may, in cases where they have no power, make a recommendation strongly urging authorities to alter their decision? Could not the right hon. Gentleman at least do that?

Mr. R. Gibson

As this affects my constituency, Mr. Speaker, may I put a further Question?

Mr. Speaker

rose —

Mr. Buchanan

Raise it on the Adjournment.