HC Deb 25 January 1949 vol 460 cc112-4W
128. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the name of the officer appointed to be Commandant of the Central Police Training College in Scotland; what are his qualifications; what experience he has had of police work; and what salary he will receive.

129. Mr. Willis

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why the post of Commandant of the Central Police Training College for Scotland was not given to a police officer.

131 and 132. Mr. Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he has considered a protest from the Scottish Police Federation on the appointment of Air Vice-Marshal Graham as Commandant of the Scottish Police Training College; and what reply he has made;

(2) whether the recently appointed Commandant of the Scottish Police Training College has any experience of Scottish police work.

136. Mr. N. Macpherson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why the appointment of Commandant of the Scottish Police Training College has been given to a man without any experience in the police forces.

Mr. Woodburn

Air Vice-Marshal Graham was appointed as Commandant Designate of the Scottish Police College at a salary of £1,000 rising to £1,200 on the recommendation of a Selection Board consisting of a Chairman, appointed by the Civil Service Commission, a County Convener, a Chief Constable, H.M. Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland and an officer of the Scottish Home Department.

The post was advertised and Air Vice-Marshal Graham was selected from 72 applicants from home and overseas of whom only seven (the highest rank represented being Chief Inspector) were from police forces in Scotland.

I do not regard long and distinguished service in the Forces as in itself a reason for appointing a man to a post like the one in question; but equally I do not consider it to be a disqualification. Air Vice-Marshal Graham had a distinguished career in the Royal Air Force, in the course of which he served as Assistant Commandant and Commandant of the R.A.F. Staff College and on the directing staff of the Imperial Defence College. The Selection Board came to the conclusion, which I accepted, that he was the best candidate for the post and that his wide experience of similar work in the organisation of training and his qualities of leadership out-weighed any absence of long police experience.