Mr. G. MURRAYasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the strong feeling being evinced throughout the country on the part of women's organisations against the disbanding of the Metropolitan police women patrols; whether he will take into consideration the important duties being performed by these women police which, owing to their special female character, cannot be so efficiently performed by the male police; and whether, in these circumstances, rather than abolish this section of the police force altogether, he will recognise the necessity of maintaining at least a nucleus upon which to build up again when economic conditions improve?
§ Mr. SHORTTI have received representations in the sense indicated in the first part of the question. Duties of a special female character will continue to be, as they always have been, performed by women. I am advised that if it were decided again to enrol women police such a nucleus would be of no value.