HC Deb 16 February 1961 vol 634 cc1736-7
10. Sir A. Hurd

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in settling the pay increases for senior police officers.

17. Sir T. Moore

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the present position of negotiations with regard to pay increases for the higher ranks of the police; and when he expects to reach a settlement.

36. Dame Irene Ward

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on increased remuneration for the higher ranks of the police force.

Mr. R. A. Butler

I am glad to say that the Police Council for Great Britain, which is the established negotiating machinery, has reached agreement on new rates of pay for sergeants, inspectors and chief inspectors; and I am making the necessary Regulations to give effect to the agreement. Negotiations are proceeding on a claim for higher pay for superintendents and chief superintendents, and a claim for higher pay for chief officers of police has been received.

Sir A. Hurd

I am sure that the whole House will welcome that statement. Will my right hon. Friend pursue agreements with the most senior officers in the force, as they are feeling rather left out of the general pay increases that have been so rightly given? Will my right hon. Friend further say whether discussions will continue on the responsibilities that these senior officers carry, as there does seem to have been some uncertainty about that?

Mr. Butler

The second part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question is rather separate from questions of pay, but I would say in general that the matter is under consideration. With regard to the first part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question, we certainly want to conclude the negotiations with the superintendents and chief superintendents, and a claim for the higher pay of the chief officers. We shall then have completed the whole gamut, which, I hope, will really give to the police force as a whole the incentive that is so vital at the present time.

Sir T. Moore

I thank my right hon. Friend for that very satisfactory reply. Is he aware that it will give great relief to many senior police officers who felt that the increase to the juniors was to be recouped at their expense and that this Answer alone will provide a very much happier feeling throughout the force?

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir.