HC Deb 11 June 1969 vol 784 cc1446-7
27. Mr. James Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his official meeting with the Scottish Police Federation at Rothesay on 2nd May.

Mr. Ross

At the invitation of the Scottish Police Federation, I addressed delegates to their annual general meeting and spoke on a number of subjects, among them crime prevention, traffic, civilianisation, crimes of violence and pay.

Mr. Hamilton

Did the police discuss with my right hon. Friend the serious shortage of police throughout the country and, further, did he discuss with them the controversial matter concerning the powers of search, on which, incidentally, I agree with the Scottish Office? Can he say anything further about that?

Mr. Ross

We did not discuss to any extent the powers of search, although it is a matter which has been discussed on past occasions. The shortage of police and the need to get them up to establishment is one of the matters to which we give attention at our annual meeting.

Mr. Grimond

In view of the widespread anxiety about the shortage of police and the alleged increase in crime, will the right hon. Gentleman consider publishing an authoritative White Paper on the situation? A great many statistics which are produced appear to depend upon what base year one takes. It would help in these vital and controversial matters to have an authoritative statement on how he sees the situation.

Mr. Ross

This is a relevant point. When I spoke to the police I said that there was something of the "numbers game" in all these statistics, where a base year was picked, neglecting changes which had taken place as a result of Bills concerned with such matters as capital murder, and varying factors of all kinds. It might be worth considering, in the light of our interest in this problem.