§ Major Petoasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes have been proposed in the working hours of auxiliary policemen; and whether, before effect is given to any such change, the views of the men concerned will be ascertained, especially because any extension of working time will debar them from activities in their leisure hours necessary, even with the recent small increase of pay, to supplement the remuneration which they are receiving.
§ Mr. PeakeI am not aware of any proposal to impose any general increase of hours at the present time. It is, however, open to a chief officer of police to extend the normal hours of duty of any member of his force when this is required by the exigencies' of the Service, and the necessity for such an extension may arise as the result of the reduction in police establishments. As regards the second part of the Question, the auxiliary police are entitled to make representations through their association on any matter affecting their conditions of service.
§ Major Petoasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the recent small increase of pay to the auxiliary police he is now in a position to give a reply to the request of the association representing this branch of the public service for arbitration into their working conditions.
§ Mr. PeakeAs my right hon. Friend explained in reply to a previous Question, this request from the Auxiliary Police Association raises issues affecting many other Services. The examination which has been undertaken by the Government has emphasised the far-reaching character of the issues involved, and at present I am not in a position to make a statement.