HC Deb 14 July 1977 vol 935 cc774-5
24. Mr. Eldon Griffiths

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will announce the terms of reference, composition and chairman of the body he is setting up to review the negotiating machinery for police pay; and when he expects it to start work.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

The terms of reference were announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland on 12th July.

I hope that I shall be able to announce the names of the members very shortly and that the review will be able to start work by the end of this month.

Mr. Griffiths

I am obliged to the Secretary of State and to his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland for his announcement the other day. Will the right hon. Gentleman move as rapidly as possible to announce the name of the chairman and members of the review body? Will he also make certain that this important inquiry gets to work rapidly and reports as soon as possible?

Mr. Rees

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Raphael Tuck

Does my right hon. Friend feel that police pay is not in the least commensurate with the hazardous job that they carry out? Does he agree that they are very badly paid— even worse than Members of Parliament?

Mr. Rees

I have no doubt that some Members of Parliament are worth more than others. I shall take account of what my hon. Friend said.

Rear-Admiral Morgan-Giles: Will the Home Secretary confirm that the terms of reference of this review body on police pay will be to announce the amounts due to the police as a fair case and that it will not be circumscribed by limitations of Government pay policy?

Mr. Rees

The terms of reference are on the negotiating machinery, which has broken down. They are not to investigate pay rates.