HC Deb 09 November 1972 vol 845 cc213-4W
37. Mr. Iremonger

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the agreement reached on police pay at the biennial review on 31st October will be put into effect notwithstanding any subsequent measures requiring such pay agreements to be limited in any respect.

Mr. R. Carr

The operative date of the increase was 1st September and therefore, in accordance with paragraph 13 of the White Paper, it will be implemented.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the lowest rate of payment for a 19year-old police recruit and the actual pay, including rent allowance, of a married new entrant to the police force.

Mr. Carlisle

£1,251 a year. The rent allowance depends on the cost of housing in the locality.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers are paid a tax-free rent allowance, either additional to or inclusive of their salary; how many receive a rent-free home; whether all police officers are entitled to free prescriptions, glasses and dental treatment or reimbursement of such expenses; and what are the average weekly earnings of a policeman on the beat in the country as a whole and in London, respectively.

Mr. Carlisle

Approximately two-thirds receive a rent allowance, which is always additional to salary; approximately one- third are provided with accommodation; all officers are entitled to the facilities described; in June, 1972, average weekly earnings were £49.70 in London and £38.50 in the rest of England and Wales.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the concern felt by the Police Federation at the inadequacy of police pay, and the fact that the police on the lowest scale of £21 to £22 per week are resentful of immigrant Asians being granted as much as £28 per week in welfare benefits, whether he will take steps designed to increase the lower-paid police pay to £28 per week forthwith.

Mr. R. Carr

I am not aware of the police being resentful at the rates of supplementary benefit available to everyone in need in this country. As to police pay, the hon. Member will now be aware that on 31st October the Police Council concluded negotiations on the police biennial pay review and reached agreement on revised scales of pay which will be effective from 1st September, 1972.