§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what period of training traffic wardens undergo before starting work in the Metropolitan police area;
(2) how many traffic wardens are employed by the Metropolitan police; and how many of them are women;
(3) what are the main educational qualifications required for people joining the Metropolitan police area traffic warden force;
(4) what is the level of payment received by Metropolitan police area traffic wardens, giving (a) starting salaries and (b) average earnings.
§ Mr. Peter LloydOn 30 April 1990 there were 1,312 traffic wardens employed in the Metropolitan police district. The Commissioner does not collect statistics about what sex wardens are but he estimates that there are more women than men in the service.
While specific qualifications are not sought, entry to the service is by means of a testing selection process aimed at finding candidates with common sense and good communications skills.
Once appointed, wardens undergo three weeks and four days training. They are accompanied by an experienced traffic warden for several weeks after being posted to a unit.
The starting salary of the basic grade traffic warden is £7,254 per annum. In addition, the job attracts London weighting of either £1,750, £1,000 or £725, depending on the work location. A boot allowance of £40.64 per annum and sock allowance of £32.28 per annum (women only) is also payable.
Average gross earnings inclusive of overtime and allowances are as follows: 666W
£ Traffic Warden (basic grade) 10,490.84 Traffic Warden Supervisor 11,852.80 Traffic Warden Controller 13,150.12 Senior Traffic Warden Controller 14,725.52 Area Traffic Warden Controller 16,405.28