asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to remove the danger to which unarmed policemen are exposed when escorting armed bank attendants, in view of the fact that the attendants are armed and the police are not.

Chief constables are responsible for the safety of their men and also for the issue of firearm certificates to civilians. In 1945 they were advised that firearms cannot be regarded as a suitable means of protection in this country and may be a source of danger: and that only in very exceptional cases should it be allowable for a firearm to be used for protection purposes.