§ 22. Sir J. Lucasasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will authorise the enrolment of approved traffic wardens as special constables, so that they could assist when needed in traffic control or to prevent dangerous parking, so as to release more police for 209W crime prevention, in view of the fact they are already paid by, and under the control of, the police authorities.
§ Sir F. SoskiceTraffic wardens already carry out some of the functions normally undertaken by the police in connection with the control and regulation of road traffic, and enforce the law in regard to various parking and obstruction offences. I have indicated to police authorities and chief constables my view that wardens should be used to the maximum extent in both these fields, and they have already provided valuable relief to the police. I shall keep under review the question of further extensions of their functions, but I do not think it would be appropriate to confer on them the full powers of special constables.