§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper:
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government if the Royal Commission on the Police is expected to complete the Interim Report on police pay before the end of the present year.]
EARL BATHURSTMy Lords, I understand that the Royal Commission intend to sign their Report on police pay next week. The Report will, I hope, be published before the end of this month.
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, while thanking the noble Earl for that most gratifying reply, may I ask whether the Home Secretary's statement in a broadcast last night, that we must have much better pay for the police force, means that there is likely to be increased pay before the end of the year? Will he also have in mind the fact that the Police Federation suspended the application for increased pay which they had in hand when the Royal Commission was appointed; and is it likely that any award will be retrospective?
EARL BATHURSTMy Lords, I am sure my right honourable friend will bear in mind exactly what he said last night, although I did not have the pleasure of hearing him. Of course I cannot tell the noble Lord what is intended: he will see that when the Report is published.