HC Deb 27 April 1948 vol 450 cc189-90
19. Mr. Vane

asked the Minister of Labour in what conditions men employed in mining or agriculture are allowed to volunteer for the Police Force.

Mr. Isaacs

The present position is that men normally employed in coalmining or agriculture are not allowed to leave those industries to enter any other kind of employment. I am, however, reviewing this arrangement as regards its effect in relation to the Police Service.

Mr. Vane

Will not the right hon. Gentleman agree that these are cases where an exemption certificate should always be given? Surely, it is wrong that the police should not be able to draw recruits from these industries, which together amount to more than 1,500,000 men?

Mr. Isaacs

Because of the circumstances I am reviewing the position.

Earl Winterton

In view of the statement made by the Home Secretary that every effort is being made to recruit members of the Police Force, can the right hon. Gentleman give an undertaking that the decision on this matter will be reached quickly, as it was raised over a month ago?

Mr. Isaacs

With respect, I think it became acute in the recent Debate on the Criminal Justice Bill. I contacted my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, whom I am anxious to meet in this matter, and I can assure the noble Lord that we shall not delay making a decision.

Earl Winterton

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there was a Debate specifically on the Police Force, when the question was raised by myself, and the Home Secretary said that every effort would be made to obtain recruits from any quarter from which they were forthcoming? That was over a month ago.

Mr. Isaacs

That is so, but at that time we were not able to bring in men from this source. Now we propose to examine the possibility of opening this source of recruitment.

Colonel Ropner

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an undertaking to reconsider cases in which he has refused permission for men to transfer to the Police Force from mining occupations?

Mr. Isaacs

Yes, Sir; if it is found proper in all the circumstances to vary this arrangement, it will be made to apply to those who have already made such a request.

Sir John Mellor

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that this arrangement, by preventing some men from getting out of these industries, discourages others from coming in?

Mr. Isaacs

No, Sir. It is necessary to keep these industries fully manned, and without this arrangement we should find the situation more difficult.