§ 7. Mr. Anthony Greenwoodasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why police officers attached to stations in the area of the Metropolitan Police force have been instructed that no toll or trunk telephone calls can be made without the permission of a superintendent.
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeThis instruction was issued in 1952 in the interests of economy and resulted in a substantial saving in the cost of trunk and toll calls. The Commissioner is satisfied that it has not prejudiced efficiency.
§ Mr. GreenwoodHere again, could not the Home Secretary show rather more confidence in the judgment and the sense of responsibility of the police in these various offices. It must be apparent to the right hon. and gallant Gentleman that any economy will be more than outweighed by the loss in efficiency.
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeHere again I must say to the hon. Gentleman that I assume the Commissioner, who is responsible for the operation of the police force, ought to know what he is talking about, and he is satisfied that there is no loss of efficiency. In a case of emergency, any call, trunk or otherwise, can be put through without asking anybody.