HC Deb 12 March 1970 vol 797 cc1543-4
18. Mr. Hunt

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the outcome of his recent discussions with the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis regarding the question of the transfer of responsibility for school crossing patrols from the Metropolitan Police to the local authorities.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that he has written to local education authorities asking whether they are prepared to accept responsibility for providing school crossing patrols.

Mr. Hunt

In welcoming that report of progress, will the hon. Lady do all she can to speed up the decision? Is She aware that there are two danger spots in my constituency where the police have refused to put a crossing patrol but where one will almost certainly be provided by the local education authority as soon as it has the official authority. Therefore, there is a great deal of urgency in this matter.

Mrs. Williams

The Commissioner is willing to get the responsibility accepted by local education authorities, but before he can do so he must have their agreement. On the matter of the selection of crossings, the police would wish to continue to be consulted on this matter. The hon. Gentleman may like to know that there has been a three-fold increase in the last 15 years in the number of school crossings.