HC Deb 13 November 1980 vol 992 cc364-6W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish in the Official Report a detailed list of wages and salaries, additional payments, and so on, now paid to and received by both the police and fire services in Great Britain.

Mr. Brittan

The current rates of basic pay for members of the police and fire services as follows:

FIRE SERVICE
(with effect from 7 September 1979)
Pay
Rank Weekly Annual
£ £
Fireman (aged 18 years)
Less than 6 months' service 83.67 4,365
More than 6 months' service 87.58 4,569
Firemen (aged over 18)
First 6 months' service 85.00 4,434
After 6 months' service and during 2nd year 88.85 4,635
During 3rd year 93.05 4,854
During 4th year 97.65 5,094
During 5th year (subject to being fully qualified) 106.39 5,550
Long service fireman (after 15 years' service)
Qualified 111.05 5,793
Unqualified 102.25 5,334
Leading firemen 113.92 5,943
Sub-Officer
1st year 116.74 6,090
2nd year 121.28 6,327
Station Officer
1st year 7,065
2nd year 7,221
3rd year 7,377
Assistant Divisional Officer
1st year 7,446
2nd year 7,674
3rd year 7,902
Divisional Officer (Grade III)
1st year 7,997
2nd year 8,136
3rd year 8,307
Divisional Officer (Grade II)
1st year 8,472
2nd year 8,802
3rd year 9,147
Divisional Officer (Grade I)
1st year 9,357
2nd year 9,576
3rd year 9,786
Senior Divisional Officer
1st year 10,074
2nd year 10,350
3rd year 10,626

The salaries of chief fire officers are calculated by fire authorities within ranges recommended by the National Joint Council for Chief Officers of Local Authorities' Fire Brigades according to the population of the area concerned and certain other factors. The recommended minimum salaries range from £12,150 to £22,377 a year.

The salaries of deputy chief fire officers are normally 80 per cent. and those of other assistant chief fire officers 75 per cent., of the chief fire officer's salary, subject to a minimum of £13,000.

All members of the Metropolitan and City of London police forces are paid London weighting of £501 a year and a special London allowance of £894 a year. All police officers who are not provided with free accommodation are paid a rent allowance within maximum limits approved for each force. The current maximum limits for officers below the rank of superintendent range from £931 to £1814 a year; those for superintendents and more senior ranks are higher.

Officers below the rank of superintendent receive additional payments at enhanced rates for any overtime worked, and certain officers receive additional allowances.

For information on payments made to members of the fire service in addition to basic pay, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I have given today to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Norfolk (Mr. Howell).