HC Deb 12 October 1915 vol 74 cc1204-5W
Sir W. BULL

asked the Home Secretary if he will inform the House whether changes are being proposed in the duties of the permanent staff of police employed at the House of Commons; and, if so, will he state their nature, the reasons underlying the policy, and the Department responsible for it; whether he is aware that the existing arrangements have long worked satisfactorily to all concerned; and whether, under these circumstances, he will reconsider the whole matter?

Mr. BRACE

No changes are or have been contemplated in the duties of the permanent staff of House of Commons police.

Mr. WILES

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the plain-clothes policemen attached to the House of Commons receive, under the late reduction in pay, an allowance of only 1s. 3d. per week towards the cost of their civilian clothing, as against 2s. 6d. per week previously; and, if so, whether, having regard to the allowances in similar cases made to plainclothes officers at Scotland Yard and other stations, he will consider the advisability of reverting to the old allowance?

Mr. BRACE

As has been explained in reply to other questions, there has been no reduction in pay of police attached to the House of Commons. Uniform police officers receive, when employed on special duty in plain clothes, a daily or weekly allowance for wear and tear. This allowance ceases when the officer ceases to do duty in plain clothes; and as the several officers referred to by my hon. Friend do only three days' duty in plain clothes, they receive only half the weekly allowance. The rule is general, applying at Scotland Yard as elsewhere.

Mr. WILES

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the fact that the pay of the temporary police staff attached to the House of Commons has been reduced by 4s. a week, on the ground that the House is only sitting three days each week; and, if so, will he consider the advisability of reverting to the old rate of pay, seeing that these men are appointed for the Session of Parliament, and that in the past pay has only been deducted when the House has adjourned for not less than twenty-one days?

Mr. BRACE

I think it would be impossible to justify a charge against the Office of Works, who pay these men, of a seven days' allowance for three days' work weekly.