§ 31. Sir Ian Fraserasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider recruiting ex-policemen who have retired on account of age or on account of disabilities which do not preclude them from certain duties, on a tem- 1117 porary basis, to make up to some extent for the present shortage in the Force.
§ Mr. EdeWhile the question of rebuilding the first police reserves is at present under consideration, there are few police duties on which it would be appropriate to employ men who have retired from the service on account of age or disabilities. I have, however, recently asked police authorities and chief officers of police to consider the extended use of civilian staff for office and similar work and so to release police for other duties: retired police officers with the necessary qualifications might well be considered for such employment.
§ Sir I. FraserDoes not experience in Resistance movements and irregular forces, and even in the Home Guard, suggest that slightly older men and slightly disabled men may be extremely useful in selected jobs? Does the right hon. Gentleman not know of the prowess of Wiley Post and Bader and even of Lord Nelson?
§ Mr. EdeThose men, I understand, are not available for recruiting. But I have given an indication in the reply I made to the hon. Member that I am anxious that men of experience, who can be properly employed to release younger men for more active service, should be brought in, where they are willing to come.
§ Mr. MarloweWill the Home Secretary, in supplementing the regular Police Force, resist the suggestion of the Attorney-General to create a Hitler Youth?