CAB128-94_A1b — Page 141

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proceed, although the Secretary of State for Scotland should discuss with the Lord President ways in which it could be significantly reduced in length. The Secretary of State for Transport had also made a strong case for proceeding with the Highways and Transport (Private Finance) Bill. In view of the other pressures on the programme this Bill could not be granted a place at present. The private finance provisions of the Bill should however be regarded as first reserve and drafting of them could proceed on a contingency basis. Consideration should

Pso be given to whether the provisions on street utilities

d be handed to a Private Member. The Lord President should onsider whether the number of amendments to the drafting of

ernment Bills could in any way be reduced.

The Cabinet -

Took note with approval, of the Prime Minister's summing up of this part of their discussion and invited the Lord President the Secretaries of State for Trade and IndustryScotland and Transport to proceed accordingly.

HOME AFFAIRS

Police Rent Allowance

CONFIC

2. THE HOME SECRETARY aid that at its meeting the day before the Sub-Committee of Public Sector Pay of the Ministerial Steering Committee on ennic strategy had authorised him to write to the Chairman of the Police Negotiating Board saying that he would no longer be bound by previous statements about acceptance of the awards of Police Arbitration Tribunal (PAT). This action was made recessary by the need to override the recent award of the PAT on police rent allowance. It would be very controversial with the pette, although their hostility might be diminished by the decision that serving officers should not lose the present value of the Howance. The police were however unlikely to get much publ support on the issue.

In a brief discussion it was noted that the arrangement for officers already serving would mean that

public expenditure

savings from the change in the allowance(system would be very

small at first. They would however build level originally expected.

The Cabinet

1.

-

Took note.

time to the

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ICONFIDENTIAL