§ Mr. Allaunasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many constables were dismissed in Jamaica, permitted to resign after disciplinary inquiry, fined and sentenced to a term of imprisonment, respectively, in the last year.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe answer is: 18, 11, 2 and 2, respectively.
§ Mr. Allaunasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that, in Jamaica, large numbers of special police, known as blue seams, are on duty and are responsible for many wrongful arrests, for searching people in the open street and for beatings up; that they are given their authority after only one hour's police training a week in most cases; and what action he proposes to take about this state of affairs.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThere have been few complaints against the conduct of members of the Jamaica Special Constabulary; I am sorry that the hon. Member should make sweeping and unsupported allegations against a body of men which has for many years been doing excellent work in support of the regular18W police. Members of the force receive two instructional parades a month, and most have had many years of experience. The last part of the Question does not arise.