§ Mr. ShersbyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what response he is making to the Scottish Police Federation following representations made to him concerning(a) the position of officers in provided accommodation and the introduction of a provided accommodation allowance and (b) updating of the force rent allowance; and when he expects to lay regulations governing the level of allowances.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 5 March 1990]: My right hon. and learned Friend and I met the chairman and general secretary of the Scottish Police 602W Federation on 8 February to hear their representations about the proposed arrangements to replace rent allowance with a new housing allowance.
In response to the representations of the Scottish Police Federation my right hon. and learned Friend has decided to make provision in the forthcoming regulations for an allowance of £300 a year to officers who were living on 31 March 1989 in accommodation provided by the police authority; this allowance will continue for three years or until the officer leaves provided accommodation, whichever is sooner.
The regulations will have the effect of permitting rent allowance reviews due in 1989 to proceed, but my right hon. and learned Friend is not persuaded that rent allowances should be updated in forces not due reviews in 1989.
The regulations are expected to be laid this week.