§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDasked the Homo Secretary (1) how many female prisoners have been searched or supervised in police stations in the Metropolitan area in 1921, and of such cases how many were dealt with by women police, police matrons, and other women, respectively; in the case of other women what was the rate of pay per hour; what was the total sum expended;
(2) how many female prisoners within, or going to or away from, the Metropolitan area have been escorted in 1921; of these how many were escorted by women police, police matrons, and other women, respectively; and, in the case of other women, what was the rate of pay per hour and what was the total sum expended?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe figures as to the number of female prisoners, and the total sum expended in connection with their search, escort, etc., could not be given without a detailed examination of the records at all police stations for the 12 months, and I regret I do not see my way to impose this heavy additional work on the office staff, who are already overworked. The remuneration paid to women not permanently attached to any station who are employed to deal with female prisoners varies according to the length of time for which they are employed, up to a maximum of 10s. for any one day.