59. Dr. Russell Thomasasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether members of the W.R.N.S. are liable to be stopped and criticised by naval police and patrols at railway stations and other places.
Dr. ThomasIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that these police stop and criticise the dress of members of the W.R.N.S. in a hectoring and bullying manner, and will he see that this practice, which is much resented, is modified so that these young girls are not frightened in this way?
Mr. AlexanderIf there were any particular incident of that kind, I should make immediate inquiries, but my information is that they are only very rarely stopped in certain areas where dress is particular. In those areas we have detailed special chief petty officers who have been under training in the Provost Marshal's Department.
§ Sir H. WilliamsBy what authority do the naval police interrogate people who are not under naval discipline and cannot be court martialled?
Mr. AlexanderThey may not be subject to naval discipline, but they are subject to the regulations and rules of W.R.N.S., and we can take what steps we wish to see that they conform to the regulations.
§ Commander AgnewWould it not be better to have some W.R.N.S. police women on the lines of the other Services?
Mr. AlexanderI have no doubt that the W.R.N.S. officers do a great deal of the necessary correction.