HC Deb 07 June 1904 vol 135 cc918-9
MR. LOUGH (Islington, W.)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the amount of leave granted to members of the Metropolitan Police Force; whether he is aware that, in accordance with a Memorandum issued by Sir Edward Bradford on the 8th September, 1900, many men lose fortnightly leave owing to its falling due during the time they are on annual leave, and that they are debarred from adding this fortnightly leave to their annual leave; and whether he can arrange, as in the case of postmen, that both leaves may be taken consecutively.

(Answered by Mr. Secretary Akers-Douglas.) The annual leave granted to the several ranks of the Metropolitan Police, is as follows:—

Superintendents 42 days
Chief and Local Inspectors 21 days
Sub-Divisional Inspectors 19 days
Inspectors 17 days
Station Sergeants and Divisional Clerks 15 days
Sergeants 13 days
Constables 10 days
In addition to annual leave, one day's leave is granted fortnightly to all ranks except that of superintendent. The Commissioner has for some time had under his consideration the question of granting an extra day's leave in lieu of any day of fortnightly leave which happens to fall within the period of annual leave; and I understand that he hopes shortly to be able to make arrangements for this purpose, but it will not be possible to allow the extra day to be taken continuously with the annual leave.