Metropolitan Police

Mr. Ashton
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement outlining the current practice in respect of allowing the staff of the Metropolitan police time off in working hours for sporting and leisure activities;(2) what was the highest total number of hours given in time off for leisure of sporting activities to any member of the Metropolitan police force in 1990;(3) how many working hours were lost in the Metropolitan police force in 1990 because of sporting and leisure activities; and what was the cost to public funds;(4) if he will list the various sporting and leisure activities which the staff of the Metropolitan police force had time off work for last year.

Mr. Peter Lloyd
The Deputy Commissioner has told me that officers representing the Metropolitan police at  first or second team level, at sports affiliated to the Metropolitan Police Athletic Association are allowed up to four hours once a week in duty time to take part in matches, subject to the exigencies of duties. The sports involved are as listed. American FootballAnglingArcheryAssociation FootballAthletics and cross countryBadminton BasketballBilliards and SnookerBowlingBridgeCanoeingChessCricketCyclingDartsFencingFlyingGolfHockeyJudoLawn TennisMale Voice ChoirMartial ArtsKarateKung FuAikidoKendoMotor SportRalliesMotor CycleRacingOld VehiclesMountaineeringNetballRace WalkingRowingRugby FootballRugby LeagueSailingShootingSkiingSquash RacquetsSub-AquaSwimmingWater PoloTable TennisTen-pin bowlingTriathlonTug of WarVolleyballWeightliftingWrestlingThe Deputy Commissioner does not hold centrally the other information requested, which could be collected only at disproportionate cost.