HC Deb 22 April 1971 vol 815 cc414-5W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that before the implementation of the pay award for the police the recent Budget proposals will mean that the police will have to pay increased National Insurance contributions and that a police officer on £42 per week will have to pay a further 65p on top of his £1 per week National Insurance contribution; and whether he will take action to review the pay of police officers in general, and those earning above £42 per week in particular.

Mr. Sharples

The new rates of pay for the police are effective from 1st September, 1970. The higher rates of national insurance contributions are payable from 1st September, 1971. The answer to the second part of the question is "No".

Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will be laying the amending regulations to increase police pay in accordance with the recent settlement.

Mr. Sharples

My right hon. Friend intends to lay these Regulations on 28th April. The new rates of pay are retrospective to 1st September, 1970.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make an estimate as to what change has taken place in police officers' take-home pay as a result of the Budget, for each grade up to £42 per week, making allowances for increased rents, rates and other known outgoings from a police officer's salary which have taken place since their last salary increase; and if he will publish these details in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Sharples

I see no good purpose in calculations of this kind.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the technical difficulties which prevented him from laying the amending regulations to increase police pay by the end of March; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Sharples

The Police Council agreement dispensed with age points in the pay scales, and thus required special transitional scales for many serving constables. Means of dealing with certain particularly complicated cases had to be discussed by the two sides.