§ Mr. McEnteeasked the Home Secretary in what number of provincial police forces the practice of allowing constables on duty to carry keys of private premises is followed; whether this practice operates in the Metropolitan Police area; and whether such practice meets with his approval?
§ Mr. LloydNo recent information on this point is available, but in only two cases have any representations on the matter been received recently and these have been referred to His Majesty's Inspectors of Constabulary for inquiry when they next inspect the forces concerned. The matter was carefully considered some years ago on representations by the Police Federation, and Chief Officers of Police in whose forces the practice existed were asked to review the practice and confine it to cases where is was clearly in the public interest, and could not be avoided by owners or occupiers of property taking effective measures to make this property secure. The practice does not operate in the Metropolitan Police.