HC Deb 15 July 1977 vol 935 cc277-8W
Mr. Stanbrook

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why a limit has been imposed on the level of paid overtime worked by the Metropolitan Police; and whether any consultations with the Police Federation took place before the limit was imposed.

Mr. Merlyn Rees:

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave to Questions from the hon. Member for Harrow, West (Mr. Page) on 7th July.—[Vol. 934, c. 627–8.]—I understand from the Commissioner that officials of the Police Federation were told informally of his intention to introduce the new system for the control of overtime.

Mr. Stanbrook

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the fact that certain divisional commanders of the Metropolitan Police have imposed limits on cash payments for overtime worked by the Criminal Investigation Department officers to a fixed proportion of that paid in 1976 to all officers in the same division, if he will take steps to insist on observance by divisional commanders of the letter and spirit of Police Regulations covering this subject.

Mr. Merlyn Rees:

Arrangements for the control of overtime in the Metropolitan Police, and their administration by divisional commanders, are matters for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.

Mr. Stanbrook

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the rate of entitlement of police officers to compensation in respect of overtime; and under what circumstances it is payable in cash and at whose option.

Mr. Merlyn Rees:

The rate of entitlement of police officers to compensation in respect of overtime and the circumstances in which an officer may elect to vary the form of compensation are set out in Regulations 25 and 26 of the Police Regulations 1971, as amended, a copy of which is in the Library.