§ Mr. Stokesasked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that sergeants 1059W and officers in the special constabulary are likely to be employed permanently for the duration of the war, many of them having voluntarily given up their peacetime occupations, and that they are in many instances engaged on duties almost as onerous as those of the regular officers, he will consider adjusting their rate of pay to bring them more in line with the pay of regular officers?
§ Sir J. AndersonI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to his question of the 26th October.
§ Mr. Stokesasked the Home Secretary whether he will state the name of the commandant of the special constabulary, his age, and the amount he is paid; and whether he will take steps to fill the position more efficiently and economically by a regular officer?
§ Sir J. AndersonThe Commandant-in-Chief of the Metropolitan Special Constabulary, whom the hon. Member no doubt has in mind, is Sir Walter Allen; his age is 69 and he is paid at the rate of £650 a year. Sir Walter Allen has been associated with the Metropolitan Special Constabulary for many years, and his work has contributed in no small degree to the growth and efficiency of the organisation. No economy would be secured by appointing a regular police officer as Commandant-in-Chief, as the pay of a regular officer of appropriate rank would exceed that of the present Commandant-in-Chief; and, having regard to the basis on which the Special Constabulary are recruited and organised, I do not consider that such an alteration would be desirable.