Police And Firemen

Mr. Arthur Lewis
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will add to the details or the comparison of salaries between the London police and fire brigade officers by giving details of their respective additional emoluments in kind, such as uniforms and housing, together with their actual or estimated cash worth.

Mr. Merlyn Rees
As I explained in answer to my hon. Friend's previous Questions on 16th June—[Vol. 933, c. 225 and 226]—I am not responsible for fire service pay and conditions of service. I understand, however, that the principal emoluments which a whole-time fireman in the London Fire Brigade receives additional to those given in answer to the previous Questions are:National Health Service charges: a whole-time fireman with a liability to undertake fire-fighting duties is reimbursed NHS charges.Uniform: all articles of uniform clothing and personal equipment necessary to the performance of duties are provided free. The initial issue is estimated to cost £322.Travelling allowances: subject to certain limits, costs of travel between home and the fire station are reimbursed and are paid on the basis of the daily return fare for the journey.Messing allowance: a payment of 12½p per man per shift is paid towards the cost of messing.As to the emoluments of Metropolitan Police officers, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer to his other Question on 16th June—Vol. 933, [c.

222 and 223].