§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the police forces outside London are having no difficulty in finding suitable recruits, she will ensure that no pay increases are awarded to police constables outside London so long as this situation continues.
§ The Prime MinisterNo. Increases in pay are a matter in the first instance for the police negotiating board, which makes a recommendation to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department. For the Government's policy on police pay, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a question by the hon. Member for Fife, Central (Mr. Hamilton) on 11 March.—[Vol. 19, c. 968].