asked the Prime Minister whether in view of the overlapping of the three Services police forces, he will consider merging them all into one defence police force under one head, with a representative of each of the three Services in liaison with him, thus increasing the efficiency of the police work generally and making a reduction in personnel which will result in freeing men for other service and reducing expenses?

It is not considered that my hon. Friend's proposal would result in increased efficiency or a saving in manpower. Service police have an operational role in addition to their purely police duties, and it is essential that they should remain under the control of their respective Services. The importance of avoiding overlapping is, however, fully appreciated and the closest liaison is maintained between the three Forces. In particular, the members of each Force have recently been given exactly the same powers over personnel of the other two Services as they possess over personnel of their own Service.

Are there not too many young men employed as "red caps," especially around the headquarters of the various Commands?