§ Mr. ShersbyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement concerning the outcome of representations he has received on his decision to set aside certain elements of the police negotiating board's recommendations on rent allowance.
§ Mr. Waddington[pursuant to his reply, 25 January 1990, columns 884–85]: Amending regulations were laid before both Houses of Parliament on 9 March. I have received representations from several quarters about the effect of these on officers in police forces whose maximum limits of rent allowance were last reviewed in 1988, on the grounds that they are at a disadvantage as compared with officers whose forces had a review date in 1989. I have therefore decided that officers whose allowances were last reviewed in 1988 and who are due to have their rent allowances protected at their existing amounts on 31 March should have those amounts increased as from 1 April by the movement in the retail prices index since their force maximum limit was last reviewed. Further amending regulations to give effect to my decision will be made as soon as possible.
363WThis is in addition to the arrangements already provided for in the amending regulations whereby no officer in receipt of rent allowance on 31 March will receive less after that date than he was getting then.
I have also decided that officers in accommodation provided by their police authorities should receive a transitional allowance of £300 a year for three years. This is provided for in the amending regulations already laid. This decision is in recognition of the fact that up till now such officers have occupied their accommodation free of rates.