§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to make a decision about the Police Arbitration Tribunal's newly proposed system to calculate rent allowance for Scottish police officers; what representations he has received regarding the apparent delay; and what steps he intends to take.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe decision of the Police Arbitration Tribunal on rent allowance is still under consideration by the Police Negotiating Board. However, following an agreement reached by the hoard last April, my right hon. and learned Friend has now advised the chairman of the board of his intention to bring forward regulations as soon as possible to make provision for interim payments to Scottish officers. The regulations, which will be backdated to 1 April 1989, will have the effect of restoring to those officers whose circumstances have not changed since 31 March 1989 the level of rent allowance (including the rates element) which they were receiving at that date.