§ 64. Mr. Liddallasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that regular members of the Lincoln City Police Force have each to surrender 18 coupons per annum for uniforms, and whilst this has been done no new uniforms are now being issued to them and no new overcoats have been issued since before the war; and, in view of the fact that special constables are provided with new uniforms of standard quality, coupon free, will he at once take steps to end an anomaly which is causing discontent?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonI understand that the regular police at Lincoln have received new issues of certain items of uniform clothing during the war, but issues are now being made only to replace unserviceable garments. I am assured by the Chief Constable that each member of the Force is in possession of serviceable garments. The surrender of clothing coupons cannot properly be related to new issues of uniform; and any comparison between the regular police and special constables in this respect is misleading. The former wear uniform regularly, and there is a corresponding saving on civilian clothes. Special constables are on duty in uniform only occasionally, and the saving of wear 1769 and tear on civilian clothing is too small to justify any surrender of clothing coupons.
§ Mr. MuffIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Hull these special constables have had to surrender coupons without getting any equivalent supply of clothing? They have given up the coupons, and there has been no return of clothes at all.
§ Mr. MorrisonIf that is so in the case of special part-time constables, I shall be glad to look into the matter, but if they are full-time War Reserve constables, their position is the same as that of the regulars.