§ MR. A. M. SULLIVANasked the First Commissioner of Works, Whether 1047 he can now mate any announcement as to the equalisation of the pay of the police attendants on the Houses of Parliament?
§ MR. ARTHUR PEELSir, during the Session of Parliament 52 constables are employed in connection with the House of Commons, 31 of whom are on special posts inside the buildings, who receive 1s. per diem in addition to their ordinary pay. Those employed on the crossings do not get extra pay. During the Parliamentary Recess 31 constables are withdrawn, and perform ordinary duty, leaving 21 at the House; nine of the senior of these receive 1s. per diem. The constables during the Recess only perform six hours' duty daily, and have no night work. The total cost of the police employed in both Houses of Parliament is £9,528 1s. 4d., of which only £428 10s. is paid by special Vote—the remainder being paid from police funds, except the cost of the night watch, £2,412, which is paid by the Office of Works. The extra allowance to the nine senior men during the Recess is granted out of a special annual Vote by the Treasury, which has been in existence since 1869. I have not heard of any complaints of inequality of pay, but will look into the matter.