Viscountess Astorasked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the representations made to him by the following organisations urging the appointment of women special constables to undertake the police and patrol duties so urgently needed at the present time: the National Council of Girls' Clubs, the Church of England Moral Welfare Council, the National Juvenile Organisations, the National Vigilance Association and the Salvation Army; and what action he proposes to take in this matter?
§ Mr. PeakeMy right hon. Friend fully recognises that police authorities may, as a result of war conditions, find it desirable to make increased use of the services of women for police duties, and it has been made clear to all such authorities that it is open to them to make provision for these duties, either by the appointment of police women on a permanent basis, or by the appointment of women with full police powers in a temporary capacity. If it is desired to make temporary appointments, the proper course is to enrol women either as mem-1384W bers of the First Police Reserve or as members of the Women's Auxiliary Police Corps and to attest them as constables.