§ Mr. SpeakerI have suggested that we should take Amendments Nos. 89, 90 and 91 together.
§ Mr. CallaghanI beg to move Amendment No. 89, in page 16, line 16, after first 'as', insert 'if it were'.
The purpose of the three Amendments is to make it as clear as possible that Clause 25(2) does not alter the status of the office of constable. The right hon. and learned Member for St. Marylebone (Mr. Hogg) suggested a form of words in Committee most of which I have picked up here. It is slightly more complicated than he suggested, because the appointing authority may be an individual or a police authority, but the 441 intention is the same. The insertion of the words "if it were" I think makes the situation a little clearer.
§ Mr. HoggI thank the right hon. Gentleman. Even at this late hour one must be grateful for small mercies, and though this may be small, it is certainly a mercy.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsI echo my right hon. and learned Friend's words. As the Home Secretary knows, there were two points at issue with regard to police. One was about the status of the constable, the question of employment, and the other was the question of the discipline code. The right hon. Gentleman has met the first one. The second one remains to be discussed in another place.
§ Amendment agreed to.
§ Further Amendments made: No. 90, in page 16, line 16, at end insert 'if he were'.
§
No. 91, in line 18, leave out 'an employer' and insert:
'if he or they were an employer or employers'. —[Mr. Callaghan.]