§ 16. Colonel HOWARD-BURYasked the Home Secretary whether he will take any steps to amend the position and pensions of police pre-War pensioners either by making the percentage system permanent or by putting them in the same position and footing as present-day pensioners?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI regret that it is not possible to propose any further legislation on the subject.
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYDoes not the increased cost of living apply just as much to the pre-War police pensioners as to the post-War men?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe matter was considered, I know, a few years ago when I was at the Treasury. I had it under careful consideration then, and the conclusion to which I was forced was that it was really not possible to deal with the cases of pre-War pensioners.
§ Mr. HAYESNow that the right hon. Gentleman is Home Secretary, does he not recognise that the wages, paid to the police prior to 1914 were grossly under the rate that ought to have been paid, as is evidenced by the post-War increases, and, as the injustice has been rectified for serving police, cannot he do something to rectify the injustice for old pre-War police pensioners?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that many Members on the Front Bench on this side and, I think, the majority of the supporters behind him have pledged themselves in favour of an amendment of the pre-War scale of pensions?