§ Viscountess ASTORasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the inspection of the police force at Grantham by Major-General Atcherley, who stated that he would not recognise a policewoman as being on the authorised strength of the force, and who ordered the appointment of another man to bring the force up to its authorised strength; whether this statement is in accord with the Home Office policy as, regards women police; and whether, in view of the prevalent uncertainty about the position of women police in the minds of many local authorities, he will send a circular to chief constables drawing attention to the conclusions and recommendations of the Report of the Committee on the Employment of Women on Police Duties?
§ Sir J. BAIRDGeneral Atcherley at his last inspection drew attention to a vacancy in the force, and said he considered it should be filled as the full authorised strength is no more than sufficient for the needs of the town. He did not consider that the substitution of a police woman would meet the requirements of the case, and I may point out that the Committee of which I was Chairman supported the view that women cannot be regarded as sutaitutes for men in a police force (see paragraph 12 of their Report). My right hon. Friend sent a circular some time ago drawing the attention of all chief constables to the Committee's recommendations.