§ 61. Mr. SNOWDENasked if the pay of first-class police officers in the Metropolitan police force is £2, war bonus 8s., rent allowances 2s. 6d., boots Is., and coal 4d., and, in addition, if married, men receive 1s. 6d. for each child and men on special duty 6s. weekly; if police' pensioners who have been recalled to service with the force during the War are paid an inclusive wage of £2 10s. with no war bonus, no allowances, and no free doctor; if this £2 10s. is the same wage as was paid in peace times; if he is aware that many of this latter class have had to give up 196 good situations to return to the force, that in many cases they have now to keep up two homes where they are doing work away from their home; whether these men were told on rejoining the force that they would receive the same benefits and allowances as others; will he say why this difference of treatment exists; and will steps be taken to put men doing the same work on the same basis in regard to remuneration?
§ Sir G. CAVEA police constable in the Metropolitan Police, on reaching twenty years' service, receives a salary of 40s. a week, with rent-aid allowance varying from 1s. 6d. to 2s. 6d., and the other allowances mentioned in the question. A pensioner who has rejoined receives 50s. a week, with free medical attendance, and in addition draws the full amount of his pension. The pensioners rejoined voluntarily, they have received the full benefits promised them, and their continued service is voluntary. Pecuniarily they are better off than their colleagues who are still on the active list, and they would lose by an exchange.