§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of South Yorkshire as to why women police officers in the South Yorkshire police force, who have been on maternity leave or time off to attend to their young children, are reinstated at a lower rank when they return; what is the policy of other police forces in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggUnder the Police Regulations 1987, women police officers have the right to return to their force after maternity leave (which is limited to nine months after the birth) without any reduction in rank. An officer who has resigned from the service will normally be considered for reappointment only in the rank of constable, although previous service counts for pay purposes.