§ Mr. PendryTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call upon the chief constables of Hertfordshire, Lincolnshire, Bedfordshire, Derbyshire, South Yorkshire, Hereford and Worcester and Dorset for a report as to the cost per policeman hour of deploying the police on ambulance duties within their police districts.
§ Mr. Peter LloydI understand from the chief constables of Lincolnshire, Bedfordshire, West Mercia and Dorset that they are charging the relevant regional health authorities an average of £8.48, £8.95, £7.91 and £9.75 respectively per police constable per hour for assisting ambulance services. This basic charge does not include pensions and national insurance contributions, and rent allowance, which will be charged separately.
In Hertfordshire, Derbyshire and South Yorkshire, I understand that the charge is about £20.55, £20.55 and £19.90 respectively per police constable per hour, but that this does include pensions and national insurance contributions and rent allowance.
Charges will also be made for vehicle conversion and running costs, meal and subsistence allowances. civilian costs, and other sundry items.