§ 1. Miss Irene Wardasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when it is his intention to bring practice in the Colonial Empire into line with the United Kingdom for the payment of dependants' allowances to special volunteer police who are killed when performing services to the community consistent with their accepted responsibilities.
§ The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. James Griffiths)The matter is one for individual colonial Governments, which must be left to decide which provision they will make in this respect, but I am consulting with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department about United Kingdom practice and will bring it to the notice of all colonial Governments which may be concerned.
§ Miss WardWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that at the moment such voluntary police are covered here whereas where the danger is greatest they lack coverage? Will he kindly expedite these conversations in view of what is going on in Malaya?
§ Mr. GriffithsAs I have said, I propose to consult my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and to bring to the notice of all the colonial Governments the practice which we adopt.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydQuite apart from any consultations, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is not a fact that a special constable in the United Kingdom is always on duty whereas in 1122 Malaya in certain circumstances he might be considered to be not on duty?
§ Mr. GriffithsI am consulting with my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary so that the practice here can be conveyed to them in exact terms. I should not like to answer that on the spot.