§ 43. Mr. HAYESasked the Home Secretary the number of constables of the Portsmouth Borough Police Force who have been deprived of their efficiency pay consequent upon a Home Office letter to the chief constable as to the conditions upon which efficiency pay should be granted; whether the number of charges and summonses enters into the test of zeal and efficiency; and upon what conditions or test can the constables regain the pay in question?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI am informed that 20 constables were affected, two having been in receipt of special increments under Regulation 53 and 18 of long service increments under Regulations 58 or 59. A constable's zeal and efficiency must be judged on his work as a whole, including his reports upon occurrences of all kinds. As to the restoration of the increments, the cases will come up for reconsideration after a year and the increments can then be restored if the constables are then found to be qualified in respect of zeal and efficiency and satisfy the other conditions laid down in the Regulations.
§ Mr. HAYESIs the right hon. Gentle man aware that the understanding of the term "zeal and efficiency," after the interview with the Chief Constable, is that these officers must show results for the work they have done?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI must demur to that statement, which puts in another form the suggestion in the question—that charges in some instances are really matters of good conduct marks. That is not the case. Every relative consideration in regard to a constable's work is taken into account.
§ Mr. HAYESHave representations been made to the right hon. Gentleman from members of the police force concerned and from police representatives of the whole country, that that is their interpretation of the understanding of "zeal and efficiency"?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSNaturally, all the representations which come to the Home Office do not reach me particularly. Personally, I have not had any representations. If the hon. Gentleman says that there has been any I will inquire about it.
§ Mr. HAYESIn view of the great importance of this to the police and the public alike, I beg to give notice that on the first opportunity I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.
§ Sir JAMES REMNANTIn this case, which seems a very exceptional case and deals with a large number of men, will the right hon. Gentleman keep a special eye open to see whether the suggestions made are really substantial?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSOh, yes. I will ask for a report as to whether it is so or not.