§ 37. Mr. YEOasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will inform the House what alterations are proposed in the duties of the permanent police staff of the House of Commons; whether he is aware of the feeling that these are causing; and whether such changes are made with his sanction?
§ Mr. BRACENo alterations are or have been contemplated in the duties of the permanent police staff of the House of Commons.
§ 38. Mr. YEOasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can explain the changes contemplated in the pay and duties of the sessional police, and give the reasons for the change of policy?
§ Mr. BRACENo change is contemplated in the pay and duties of the sessional police. These men, as distinct from those permanently employed, hold temporary appointments only while the House is sitting. They receive an allowance of 1s. per day in addition to their pay, while so employed, in recognition of the responsible nature of these duties, and of the fact that their hours of duty are sometimes prolonged. When the House is not in Session, their duties cease, and the allowance is discontinued. At present sessional police do special duty for three days weekly, reverting to ordinary duty for the rest of the week, and they draw the special allowance for such time only as they are actually earning it.
§ Mr. YEOIs it not the fact that many of these men have given up the opportunity of promotion and of coming to this House to serve within the corridors and lobbies and getting 7s. a week?
§ Mr. BRACEI am not aware of it, but if my right hon. Friend will give us the information we shall be very glad to consider it sympathetically.
§ Mr. ALDENWill the hon. Member kindly look into the matter with a view to seeing that men who have foregone all hope of promotion and cannot get promotion under these circumstances do not lose the extra 4s. a week?
§ Mr. BRACEIf the hon. Member will give a statement of what he desires, the Home Office will, I am sure, be more than sympathetic.
§ Mr. FLAVINIs it not a fact that the cost of living has increased by 40 per cent., and what proportion of it do the police get by way of increased wages?