HC Deb 09 July 1914 vol 64 cc1224-5
41. Mr. WILES

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can now state the revised scale of pay for the Metropolitan Police, and when it will come into effect?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. McKenna)

I am not yet in a position to make any final statement either as to the new scale or as to the date when it can be brought into effect. In order to enable me to make the necessary provision for the increased cost, I must lay on the Paper of the House the Minute required by Section 1 (6) of the Metropolitan Police Act, 1912, and before doing so I will make a full statement of what I propose.

Mr. WILES

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the approximate date when he will be able to give this increase?

Mr. McKENNA

I am sorry I cannot. There is a great deal of matter in the question.

42. Mr. GLANVILLE

asked the Home Secretary whether, having regard to the practice in most callings to pay extra money for Sunday work, he will arrange for a sufficient staff of relief men to act on Sundays as shall enable each constable doing Sunday day-work duty to have a half-hour interval to enable him to get a square meal on that day, such interval to be between the hours of his Sunday labour, thus reducing his labour on that day to seven and a half hours net?

Mr. McKENNA

It has always been the aim of the Metropolitan Police authorities to reduce the number of men on Sunday duty to the minimum. The suggestion of my hon. Friend would add considerably to the number of police employed on Sunday, and would on that account be unpopular, I believe, with the majority of the men.

Earl WINTERTON

Is it not a fact that, in view of the additional police protection required for high personages, Ministers, and also meetings in the parks, the hours of Sunday duty have considerably increased recently?

Mr. McKENNA

I am not aware of that. I will inquire.

Earl WINTERTON

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire whether the total amount of duty done by each individual constable during the present summer is not very much greater than it was three years ago?

Mr. McKENNA

That is the exact point on which I will make inquiry.