§ Sir H. Webbeasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases the period of training as a police officer has been allowed to count as police service for the calculation of pension or other rights.
§ Mr. EdeI regret that the information sought is not available but I may say that before the war, it was the practice in a few forces, including the Metropolitan police force, not to appoint a recruit as a constable until he had completed the period of initial training, and in these forces the period in question did not therefore count as approved police service. It has been recommended that in future the practice of swearing in recruits as constables before their period of training should be generally followed.
§ Mr. W. J. Brownasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is intended to bring the police service into the Insurance Bill; and, if so, what 2694W will be the cost of contributions, in view of the fact that all members of the police force already pay five percent. of their wages as rateable deductions towards pension.
Mr. EdcAs explained in paragraph 38 of Part I of the White Paper on Social Insurance the police, like other classes previously excepted from social insurance, are to be included in the new social insurance scheme. It will be necessary to discuss the detailed arrangements with the interested parties, and I am not yet in a position to answer the second part of the Question.