HL Deb 29 June 1964 vol 259 cc432-3

2.46 p.m.

LORD CONESFORD

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of the finding of the Royal Commission that the Police Service was not attracting its proper share of young men with higher educational qualifications, what remedial measures they are taking.]

LORD DERWENT

My Lords, in the last two years, with the full concurrence and support of the police authorities and of the representatives of the Service associations, a new system has been introduced into the Police Service for the selection and training of young men of exceptional promise, and under a new regulation made by my right honourable friend, which comes into force on July 1, constables of as little as three years' service will be able to compete for selection for the new special course at the national Police College at Bramshill. Successful completion of this course carries with it automatic promotion. Taken with the generally improved conditions of service, these new arrangements should substantially improve the attractiveness of the Police Service to young men of good education.

LORD CONESFORD

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for his Answer. Can he say whether headmasters and appointments officers in our universities are fully informed of the prospects in the Police Service, since they may be in a good position to help both the Service and suitable applicants?

LORD DERWENT

Yes, my Lords: my right honourable friend the Home Secretary addressed an experimental meeting between police officers, university appointments officers and headmasters which was held at the Police College. The meeting was a success. There was a frank exchange of views, and a number of suggestions which were made are being followed up. It is hoped to arrange other meetings at the College of a similar character.

LORD MORRISON OF LAMBETH

My Lords, while not being entirely out of sympathy with the purpose of the noble Lord who put the Question, may I ask the Minister of State whether he can assure us that products of the primary schools will not, in due course, be excluded from the police force or denied the opportunity of promotion within the police force? Is it not a fact that many products of elementary schools in many walks of life, inducing the police force, have done good work for the community?

LORD DERWENT

My Lords, I fully agree with the noble Lord. In that respect ex-primary schoolboys will have just as much chance as anyone else. These new arrangements for what I may call higher education in the police are to make certain that those police officers who already show promise on the beat and are rather unusually intelligent will be able to have some accelerated promotion because of their intelligence.