HC Deb 07 July 1960 vol 626 cc694-5
39. Mrs. Castle

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the interim report on pay of the Royal Commission on the Police to be ready.

Mr. R. A. Butler

The Royal Commission announced in February that it hoped to present an interim report on this subject before the end of this year. I understand that this remains its intention.

Mrs. Castle

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many thousands of good men have left the police force since the end of the war because of the inadequacy of rates of pay, and that many more are considering doing so if their claim for adequate scales of pay is not met quickly? Could not the right hon. Gentleman, therefore, ask the Royal Commission to speed up the introduction of its interim report, because the delay of another six months may mean that we shall lose considerably more men?

Mr. Butler

The Royal Commission is aware of the urgency of this matter, but I shall see that the interchange of question and answer in the House today is sent to it so that it is continually aware of the urgency of reporting.