HC Deb 04 February 1937 vol 319 cc1759-60
42. Lieut.-Commonder Fletcher

asked the Home Secretary whether, in connection with the removal of the police college from Hendon, the expenditure at Hendon of £20,300 on buildings, £5,400 on furnishing, £4,000 on the grounds, £2,800 on the police laboratory, and £3,650 on equipment of the mess, must be regarded as a total loss or, if not, how much must be regarded as a loss?

Sir J. Simon

The figures given relate to the financial year 1934–35 and represent only part of the capital expenditure in question. There is no reason to regard any of this expenditure as a dead loss. On the removal of the college from Hendon the buildings and grounds which it now occupies, together with furniture and equipment, except so far as these may be transferred to the new college building, will be used for the proposed new training school or other police purposes. There is at present no proposal for the removal of the police laboratory from Hendon.

Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

Is it not a serious reflection upon the wisdom of the authorities concerned that this heavy expenditure should have been incurred upon premises which have been so quickly found to be unsuitable for their purpose?

Sir J. Simon

No, I do not think so.

43. Lieut.-Commonder Fletcher

asked the Home Secretary what was the capital cost of establishing the police college at Hendon; what pay and allowances are received by trainees; if any allowances are paid in respect of wives or rent; what is the cost per officer trained, taking the capital expenditure on the college, the establishment and upkeep charges of the college, and the pay and allowances of trainees all into account; and whether he is aware that, in evidence given before the Public Accounts Committee in 1936, it was not disputed that the total cost of training a police officer for two years at Hendon was £1,500?

Sir J. Simon

This question can only properly be answered by giving a large number of figures and explaining the relation between them. I will circulate detailed figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT, but I may say now that the hon. and gallant Member is mistaken in the suggestion contained in the last part of his question.

Following are the figures:

The capital expenditure incurred in purchasing, adapting and equipping the buildings and grounds used for the purposes of the college at Hendon is approximately £110,000. Those admitted to the college from outside receive £170 per annum in pay. Those who come from the force receive £200 per annum less 5 per cent. pension deduction, or their existing pay, if greater, together with any allowances (such as rent allowance) to which they may be entitled under the police regulations, and also, if married men, separation allowances. The period of training has recently been extended from 15 months to two years, and, if all the items of capital expenditure referred to by the hon. and gallant Member are included, the cost of the training at the college for two years, on the basis of 60 students—the number now there—works out at £900 per student, exclusive of pay and allowances which may be taken to average £200 a year.