§ Brought from the Commons.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 1ª.—(Lord Emmott.)
§ On Question, Bill read 1ª, and to be printed.
§ LORD EMMOTTMy Lords, in Scotland at the present time no person over the age of 25 can be appointed a constable. It has been necessary in some of the Scottish Police forces to increase the regular police, with the consent of the Secretray for Scotland; and it has been found also that the existence of a statutory age limit hampers the action of the authorities. In England the age can be altered by regulation made by the Home Secretary, and the object of this Bill is to confer a similar discretion on the Secretary for Scotland. Apart from any other reasons, it is undesirable at the present time that there should be competition between recruiting for the Army and recruiting for the Police service.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2ª.—(Lord Emmott.)
§ On Question (Standing Order No XXXIX having been suspended), Bill read 2ª: Committee negatived: Bill read 3ª, and passed. (No. 269.)