§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans exist to replace regular Metropolitan police officers employed in the House of Parliament by security officers;
(2) what are the educational qualifications demanded of Metropolitan police security officers employed in the Houses of Parliament;
(3) what is the average length of service of the Metropolitan police security officers employed in the Houses of Parliament;
(4) what is the level of pay of the Metropolitan police security officers employed in the Houses of Parliament, including starting salary and average earnings;
(5) what is the length of the training period of the Metropolitan police security officers employed in the Houses of Parliament;
(6) how many Metropolitan police security officers have been employed in the Houses of Parliament in each year since their introduction; and how many are presently employed;
(7) what plans exist to increase the numbers of Metropolitan police security officers employed in the Houses of Parliament.
§ Mr. Peter LloydWhile my right hon. and learned Friend formally approves changes in the number of posts at the Palace of Westminster, security arrangements are primarily matters for the Palace authorities, who take their decisions on the basis of advice provided by the Metropolitan police.
I understand that an inspection of the security force at the Palace of Westminster was carried out by the Metropolitan police at the beginning of the year to assess the changes needed as a result of the opening of the Norman Shaw complex. They recommended changes, including civilianisation of seven police posts, which, if accepted, would increase the number of police officers by three and the number of security officers by 22. The proposals are being considered by the Joint Committee on Security.
The Metropolitan police took over responsibility for security officers at the Palace of Westminster in October 1977. The total number of security officers employed at the end of each calendar year since that date is as follows:
Number 1977 93 1978 95 1979 105 1980 110 1981 113 1982 112 1983 104 1984 102 1985 114 1986 131 1987 129 1988 134 1989 1183 1 Includes Norman Shaw building. A total of 180 security officers are currently employed at the Palace of Westminster.
Information relating to the average length of service of Metropolitan police security officers could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.
322WAlthough there are no rigid requirements for educational qualifications, security officers employed at the Palace undergo a recruitment process which looks for good communication skills, reliability and common sense.
On joining, all security officers undergo a six-week intensive training course which covers first aid, basic law, powers of arrest, fire appliance training, House regulations and passes. New officers then work alongside experiencd officers for a further six weeks. Additional courses covering explosives, car searches and respirator training are also arranged.
The starting salary of a security officer is £9,594 per annum. This is inclusive of shift allowance but exclusive of overtime and premium payments for work on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. After six months a security officer becomes eligible for promotion and the starting salary for the higher grade is £11,381 per annum. Information about average earnings could be provided only at disproportionate cost.