§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, when giving consideration to the special case of the police on wages and salaries, he will also apply the same principle to firemen who work for the various fire brigades.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesI am not responsible for pay and conditions of service of firemen, which are matters for the National Joint Council for Local Authorities' Fire Brigades. The National Executive of the Fire Brigades Union has expressed views on the need for a greater degree of flexibility and hope for those whose earnings are below the national average, and I have brought these to the direct attention of my right hon. Friends the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Employment. But we cannot anticipate the outcome of the forthcoming discussions with the TUC on arrangements for pay after 31st July 1977.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give the weekly take-home pay of a fireman with a wife and two children under 11 years of age (a) on his appointment, (b) from six months to two years in service, (c) during his third year, (d) during his fourth year and (e) when fully qualified and on the full fireman's rate; and how these figures compare with those for a Metropolitan Police constable.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesAs I explained in the answer to my hon. Friend's previous Question, I am not responsible for fire services pay. I understand, however, that the take-home pay of individual firemen226W varies from week to week according to individual circumstances. I have set out below tables showing how the gross weekly rates of pay are calculated for whole-time firemen generally, for firemen in the London Fire Brigade and for Metropolitan Police constables.
Length of Service WHOLE-TIME FIREMAN Gross weekly pay including threshold payment LONDON WHOLE-TIME FIREMAN Gross weekly pay including threshold payment and London allowance £ £ On appointment at age 19-first six months' service 50.02 60.26 After six months and during second year 52.30 62.73 During third year 54.73 65.44 During fourth year 57.46 During fifth year (when fully qualified) 62.58 70.55 After 15 years' service and fully qualified. 65.37 73.27 In addition a supplement of 5 per cent. of total reckonable earnings is payable subject to a weekly minimum of £2.50 and maximum of £4.
On appointment at age 22 or over a fireman enters the scale at the second point.
A 5.75 per cent. deduction from gross earnings up to a limit of £105 a week is made for earnings related national insurance contributions.
A 6.75 per cent. deduction from pensionable pay is made for superannuation.
METROPOLITAN POLICE CONSTABLE Length of Service Gross weekly pay including London allowance £ On appointment … … 52.12 After 1 year … … 59.14 After 2 years … … 63.10 After 3 years … … 64.08 After 15 years … … 71.32 In addition a supplement of 5 per cent. on total reckonable earnings subject to a weekly minimum of £2.50 and maximum of £4 has been awarded to take effect from 1st September 1976.
A 5.75 per cent. deduction from gross earnings up to a limit of £105 per week is made for earnings related national insurance contributions.
A 7 per cent. deduction from pensionable pay is made for superannuation.