Mr. Rostron Duckworthasked the Home Secretary whether in view of the necessity for economy in the consumption of petrol and for releasing all available able-bodied men for vital national work, he will consider the advisability of disbanding a large part of the mobile traffic police, whose functions are no longer of such importance since petrol rationing reduced the number of private motor-cars on the road?
§ Sir J. AndersonThe reduction in road traffic, and the need for conserving petrol, are factors which chief constables have taken into account in deciding the number of motor patrols to be employed. Road accidents are, however, still numerous, and the patrols serve important purposes not directly concerned with traffic. In these circumstances it would not be desirable to make any great reduction in the number of patrols.