Dr. Morganasked the Home Secretary to what extent it is now the custom for 316W Metropolitan police constables to wear two different numbers, one on their overcoat and one on their ordinary neck lapel; is he aware that this duplicate numbering tends to confuse the public in their identification of police constables; that on the afternoon of 10th December when the hon. Member for Rochdale was stopped in his motor-car by the motor police, constable X44 had in this way two identification numbers; what were the circumstances of this duplication; and whether he was reprimanded or reproved by the accompanying constable, police constable X626, for this negligence on duty?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonI presume that my hon. Friend is referring to an incident about which he wrote to me and on which I sent him a full reply. There is no question of any custom for members of the Metropolitan police to wear different numbers on their overcoats and tunics. As I have already explained, the police officer concerned happened at the time to be wearing the mackintosh belonging to a colleague, and the matter has been brought to the notice of the proper authorities and appropriate action taken. There was no question of any attempt by the officer to conceal his proper number which in fact he gave correctly.