§ 14. Mr. Eadieasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider taking steps to have otherwise suitable recruits for the police force who have been rejected for colour blindness independently examined on their request.
§ Mr. TaverneThe decision whether to accept a particular candidate for appointment as a police officer in England and Wales rests with the chief officer of the force to which he applies. It is for the chief officer to obtain such medical advice as he requires.
§ Mr. EadieI thank my hon. and learned Friend, but is he aware that his Answer will cause great disappointment? 1922 My mail indicates that there is a conflict of medical opinion and otherwise suitable recruits feel that this matter should be tested.
§ Mr. TaverneI am aware that my hon. Friend has a certain case in mind which concerns the Scottish police force. A conflict of opinion is not necessarily the cause of this. What a doctor decides is colour blindness, which is not necessarily conclusive when people have to take account of to what extent colour blindness or lack of vision for colours may make someone unfit to perform police duty. This is a matter which must be decided by the police.