§ Sir David SteelTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what grounds he refused to implement in full the recent decisions of the police arbitration tribunal regarding the pay structure for police officers in England and Wales; and if he will reconsider his decision.
§ Mr. Peter LloydI assume that the right hon. Member is referring to the tribunal's award on police rent allowance, which provided the basis for a recent police negotiating board agreement. The decision of the PNB is a recommendation which my right hon. and learned Friend can accept or reject. In considering the agreement, we had to have regard not only to the interests of the police service but to the wider public interest. After careful consideration, my right hon. and learned Friend concluded that he should set aside certain aspects of the board's agreement. Draft regulations, giving effect to my right hon. and learned Friend's decisions, have been sent to the board for comment and we shall consider carefully any representations which the board may make.
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