§ 26. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Secretary of State for Air why so many R.A.F. police and an officer were engaged checking men leaving the Manchester City versus Liverpool football match, Main Road, Manchester, on 4th September; and what are the total number of men and women engaged on R.A.F. police duties?
§ Sir A. SinclairFollowing reports of an unusual number of absentees, a party of R.A.F. Service Police, consisting of one officer and five men, were instructed to carry out a general check in the area concerned which included various places of amusement besides the football ground referred to. It would not be in the public interest to give the information asked for in the second part of the Question.
§ Mr. SmithDoes the right hon. Baronet agree that there are thousands of men in the ranks of the Royal Air Force who are as good as any in the commissioned ranks, and if so, why should they be constantly subject to humiliating treatment of this kind? Will he reconsider the point?
§ Sir A. SinclairThe hon. Member is under a complete misapprehension. These measures applied equally to officers and men, and an officer was among those who were dealt with.
§ Mr. SmithMay we take it that in future, at stations and other places, men serving in the commissioned ranks are going to be subject to the same treatment in the matter of examination as men serving in the non-commissioned ranks?
§ Sir A. SinclairThere is no question of my announcing any change of policy in the future. I have told the hon. Member what happened on this occasion.
§ Sir H. WilliamsThere are 16 different military police forces walking around London. Might not some of these help the right hon. Baronet?
§ Mr. ShinwellOn the occasion referred to by my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke (Mr. Ellis Smith), were any absentees discovered?
§ Sir A. SinclairYes, Sir.
§ Mr. ShinwellHow many?
§ Sir A. SinclairThe patrols took action in the case of one officer for a disciplinary offence and 35 men, including two soldiers.