§ Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of police officers of all ranks currently employed in the Metropolitan area; what is the comparable figure for 1978; what is the current average rate of pay for a police officer; what is the comparable figure for 1978 in real terms; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter LloydThere has been a significant increase in Metropolitan police strength and pay since 1978. The information requested is in the tables.
223W
Pay and percentage increase in real terms Rank and service September 1978 September1990 Percentage increase in real terms £ £ Constable (4 years) 4,017 14,463 41.29 Sergeant (4 years) 5,301 19,896 47.17 Inspector (4 years) 6,369 23,673 45.88 Chief inspector (4 years) 7,134 26,205 44.16 Superintendent (3 years) 9,333 33,369 40.32 Chief Superintendent (3 years) 10,326 36,276 37.88 Commander (Max) 10,949 140,278 44.38 Deputy Assistant Commissioner (Max) 13,196 145,894 36.50 Assistant Commissioner 16,336 157,366 37.82 Deputy Commissioner 17,984 165,025 41.90 1Does not include additional 2.5 per cent, increase for officers with over 3 years service in rank—approved in September 1990 and payable from 1 August 1991.