Sir J. D. REESasked the Home Secretary what is the cost to the taxpayer or ratepayer of the women police in London; whether women police are maintained elsewhere by local bodies; and, if so, whether at the request of, or by the suggestion of, the Home Office?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe present cost of the Metropolitan Women Police is £19,000 per annum, the total strength being 112. In addition, about half of this number are provided with quarters, rent free.
1382WAccording to the latest figures available, about the same number of women patrols are employed in the county and borough police forces. The employment of police women has been left entirely to the discretion of the local police authorities, but I am of opinion that police women may be of great assistance to the police in dealing with certain classes of cases, and I have expressed this opinion to police authorities.