§ Major HORE-BELISHAasked the Home Secretary whether it is his intention to set up the appeal tribunals for the police force recommended by the Desborough Committee, so that a policeman threatened with dismissal may have adequate legal assistance and a fair trial before being cast out of the service?
Mr. HENDERSONI would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Edge Hill (Mr. Hayes) on the 3rd of April last. This question is still under consideration, and I am not yet in a position to make any statement.
§ Major HORE-BELISHAasked the Home Secretary whether he will institute 2428W a system whereby, after a constable has been medically examined by a medical practitioner for the purpose of deciding whether he is physically capable of discharging police duties, he shall be informed in writing that if he wishes to appeal on medical grounds against the decision of the medical practitioner he has the right to lodge an appeal within 14 days; whether all medical practitioners can be instructed to take the constable's service into account and the consequent natural deterioration of his physical powers in their medical findings; and whether, in all cases before a constable is dismissed upon the grounds of ill-health, the question of his dismissal can be considered in relation to his pension rights and efforts be made to give him a lighter form of employment in order that he may complete his time for pension?
Mr. HENDERSONAs regards the first part of the question, the suggested notice in each individual case would appear unnecessary if, as I presume, the police are generally aware of the existence of the appeal procedure. I will, however, take steps to make sure that this procedure has duly been brought to the notice of the members of all forces. As regards the second part, the question the medical practitioner has to consider is whether the constable is, or is not, incapacitated by infirmity for further police duty, and whether such incapacity is likely to be permanent; and the length of the constable's service may or may not be relevant thereto. The question raised in the third part must be left to the police authority to decide.
§ Major HORE-BELISHAasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the continuance of the temporary economy reductions in the police force has caused dissatisfaction; and whether, seeing that these reductions were originally agreed to by the Police Federation as a temporary measure, to last for one year only, and in view of the fact that the recent meeting of the Police Council recommended their cancellation, he can see his way to cancel them, so that the recommendations of the Desborough Committee as regards police pay may have their full effect?
Mr. HENDERSONThe arrangement agreed to by the representatives of the Police Federation at the Police Council of 15th March, 1922, was not that the 2429W deductions from pay and rent allowances should be made for the one year only, but that they should not be continued beyond the year 1922–1923 unless renewed by further Regulation. The deductions were continued for the current financial year after full consideration of all the circumstances and of the views expressed by the various sections constituting the Police Council. It is not correct to say that the council at the meeting this year recommended the cancellation of ohe deductions, the vote which was taken, after lengthy discussion, having been inconclusive. The matter was very fully discussed at the Police Council, and I think it is generally recognised that under present conditions the continuance of the deductions was inevitable.
§ Major HORE-BELISHAasked the Home Secretary whether, seeing that free medical treatment is part of the contract of police service, he will say why police patients are charged 2s. per day in addition to the ordinary sick he is aware that stoppage of 1s. per day; whether sick men are compelled to go to St. Thomas's Hospital; and if he can see his way to assure that free medical treatment is provided for the force in the future?
Mr. HENDERSONI would refer the hon. Member to Regulation 88 of the Police Regulations, which requires that members of the police shall have free medical attendance by a medical officer of the force or other medical practitioner appointed or approved by the police authority, but also provides that a man who receives treatment in hospital may be required to make a contribution towards the cost of his maintenance. The contribution required from members of the Metropolitan Police is made under the authority of this Regulation, and is not in any way contrary to any of the Conditions of Service of the Force, which make no mention of medical treatment. In most cases where hospital treatment is required by members of the force, it is afforded in St. Thomas's Hospital, special arrangements having been made with the hospital for the purpose, but in exceptional cases the patient may be taken to a local hospital, and in a good many cases the men receive treatment elsewhere than at St. Thomas's.
§ Major HORE-BELISHAasked the Home Secretary whether, seeing that refreshment 2430W allowances should be paid to every policeman who performs an extended period of duty away from his usual place of duty, at the rate of 1s. 6d. upon the completion of nine hours and 3s. 6d. on the completion of 12 hours; that the Police Council agreed to the payment under such conditions; and that the Metropolitan police authorities have imposed a practice contrary to this agreement, whereunder no allowance is to be granted unless 10 hours' duty is performed and until 14 hours' duty has been performed; and, in view of the fact that it is imposing too much strain upon policemen to expect them to carry food and drink to last them for such extended periods, he will see that the agreement arrived at by the Police Council is put into operation?
Mr. HENDERSONThe hon. Member appears to be under a misapprehension. The proposition which he lays down in the first part of the question has never been accepted, and the Police Council did not agree to the payment of the allowances under the conditions he suggests. The allowances are granted in the Metropolitan police in strict accordance with the Regulations, and I am not aware of any necessity for further action on my part in the matter.
§ Major HORE-BELISHAasked the Home Secretary what were the recommendations of the Sub-Committee of the Police Council appointed to inquire into and report on rent allowances; whether these recommendations have been put into operation; and, if not, whether it is proposed to put them into operation?
Mr. HENDERSONI am sending the hon. Member a copy of the Report. Steps are being taken to give effect to the Committee's recommendations, and a circular on the subject was issued to all police authorities on the 8th April.