§ 25. Mr. Alexander W. Lyonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what improvements he now proposes in the pay and conditions of the Metropolitan Police to bring it up to establishment.
§ Mr. R. CarrI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my hon. and learned Friend gave on 11th June to Questions by the hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Alfred Morris).—[Vol. 857, c. 252–3.]
§ Mr. LyonNow that the Police Federation has said that it approves a special allowance for the Metropolitan Police, is it not important that the Government should consider a quite dramatic improvement in the pay of that force, in whose area the majority of serious crime exists and where there has been a situation quite different from the national situation, exemplified by the fact that there has been an increase in recruiting nationally but a decrease in the Metropolitan area? Is it not important that this improvement should take place quickly?
§ Mr. CarrAs I said earlier, I very much welcome the new attitude of the Police Federation about differentials for the Metropolitan Police. The initiative rests with the Police Council. I repeat that no one's pay in this country can be settled without regard to the pay policy.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergDoes my center hon. Friend not agree that what would considerably aid recruiting and conditions in the police would be for more people in London and elsewhere to praise the work of the police instead of nagging and criticising them, as so many people inside and outside the House do constantly?
§ Mr. CarrAs I have said publicly on a number of occasions, I certainly regard it as one of my duties as Home Secretary to speak up for the police and at the same time to do all that I can to make sure that the police deserve being spoken up for, as I believe they do.