§ 27. Mr. W. J. Brownasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has yet furnished the Auxiliary Police Association with a reply to their request for arbitration on their pay claim.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonI propose to discuss this matter with representatives of the Association, but I am not at present in a position to make any statement.
§ Mr. BrownIs not the Home Secretary aware that this request for arbitration was made as long ago as December last year? Does it require 10 months for the Home Office to make up its mind?
§ Mr. MorrisonI forget when the request was made, but life is not as simple as my hon. Friend thinks at the Home Office. A lot of complicated matters have to be dealt with, and the Home Office has other things to do.
§ Mr. BrownGranting that the Home Office have other things to attend to, surely the Home Secretary must recognise that a delay of 10 months in dealing with a wage question is indefensible from any point of view?
§ Mr. MorrisonNo, Sir.