HC Deb 26 January 1967 vol 739 cc318-9W
35. Mr. Moonman

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider the institution of a special auxiliary force to assist the police during the Christmas and other holiday periods.

Mr. Taverne

Special constables are already used for this purpose in some areas, and my right hon. Friend accepts the finding in the recent report of a working party of the Police Advisory Board that there is room for a further attempt to recruit men to assist the police not only in emergency but, as part of their training, in routine traffic and other types of duty. With this in mind, my right hon. Friend has asked police authorities and chief officers of police to review the strengths of the special constabularies in their areas and the duties upon which they are engaged.