71. Mr. DOYLEasked the Home Secretary if he will state how many pensioned police-constables there are in London and in other parts of the United Kingdom; if he will give the number of such pensioned constables employed in the Royal parks and State institutions; how many are employed by local authorities and public bodies; and whether their pay for such work is lower than the standard rate of wages for the district?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThe number of pensioners from the Metropolitan police on 31st March was 9,450. I cannot give the exact number from the county and borough police forces of England and Wales, but it is between 14,000 and 15,000. I am sorry that the other particulars asked for are not available. The view taken, as I believe, by all Government Departments is that the fact that an applicant for employment of any kind is in receipt of a pension from public funds affords no ground for offering him pay below the standard rate of wages for 1826 such employment. I have no reason to think that any different view is taken by local authorities or other public bodies.