§ 11. Mr. Gallacherasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has considered a letter sent to him by the hon. Member for West Fife regarding the regularising of discipline in the police force; and what statement has he to make on the matter.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonThe hon. Member's letter only reached me yesterday. I am inquiring into the points which he raises and I will send him a reply as soon as possible.
§ Mr. GallacherIs the Minister not aware of the fact that a chief constable, found guilty of the unlawful use of petrol and fined, still keeps his job, whereas an ordinary policeman, charged with unlawful possession of petrol, but not found guilty, nevertheless loses his job? Should not something be done to regularise a position like that.
§ Mr. MorrisonThis letter came only yesterday, and I am afraid I have not had time to examine it. Therefore, I must say that I am not fully aware of the facts yet, but I will look into it.
§ Mr. GallacherWhy does the right hon. Gentleman refuse a grant to a watch committee which dismisses a chief constable while he does nothing about another watch committee which dismisses an ordinary policeman.
§ Mr. MorrisonIt is no good my hon. Friend getting cross with me for not being able to answer a question on a letter which I have not read and which only came yesterday.
§ Mr. GallacherIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.