§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what progress has been made on the recommendations made on the Royal Parks Police by Tony Speed and Dan Foley; and when changes will be implemented; [39984]
(2) if she will list the retirement ages and conditions of retirement of (a) former police officers serving in the Royal Parks Police and (b) officers of the Royal Parks Police who have not served in the police; [39986]
(3) how many retired police officers receiving a police pension are fully employed by the Royal Parks Police; [39985]
(4) when the pay rise, due in September, 2001, for the Royal Parks Police will be implemented; and if the pay will be backdated. [39983]
262Wmade available in each of the last five years for museums in (a) London, (b) the South East, (c) Birmingham, (d) the West Midlands and (e) England; what her projections are for the next three years; and if she will make a statement. [38094]
§ Dr. HowellsMy Department's grant funding to its 20 sponsored museums and galleries in England and their branch museums is shown in the table.
§ Dr. Howells[holding answer 4 March 2002]: Responsibility for the subject of these questions have been delegated to the Royal Parks Agency under its Chief Executive, William Weston. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Sandra Smith to Mrs. Cheryl Gillan, dated 4 March 2002:
I have been asked by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to reply to Parliamentary Questions concerning the Royal Parks Constabulary because these are operational matters for which the Royal Parks Agency is responsible.Most of the recommendations of the Speed Report have been implemented. We are currently discussing with the Metropolitan Police Service the option that the Royal Parks Police should become a ring-fenced operational command unit of the Metropolitan Police Service.The normal retirement age for officers of the Royal Parks Constabulary, regardless of previous police service, is aged 60. The only exception is for staff in post before 1 January 1994 who have completed less than 20 years service at the age of 60: they have a right to stay on until they have either completed 20 years service or reached the age of 65, whichever is the sooner.The Agency is not required to hold records of how many serving RPC officers are retired from other police services and receiving a pension from them.The Department are considering the Agency's pay remit, and as soon as they have agreed it we will begin negotiating this year's pay settlement. Whatever is agreed will be backdated to 1 September 2001.