§ MR. BURDETT-COUTTS (Westminster)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Goverement, taking into consideration the onerous and wearing nature 1328 of the Metropolitan Police, and the opinion of experienced authorities that 25 years' performance of such duties generally unfits a man for any other employment, will introduce a provision into the Police Bill entitling every Metropolitan police officer and constable, after 25 years' "approved service," to a pension equal to two-thirds of his pay, without condition of age or medical certificate?
§ MR. MATTHEWSThe Government have embodied in the Police Superannuation Bill now before the House the proposals which, after careful consideration, they recommend the House to adopt. My hon. Friend asks me whether the Government will alter those proposals; but I think he must feel that it would be unusual and inconvenient to anticipate the discussion which must take place in Committee on the Bill, when the Government will be prepared to state the reasons which have actuated them, and to discuss any Amendments that my hon. Friend may think it right to propose. I may point out that the scale of the Government Bill is identical with that which was recommended by the Select Committee of 1877, proposed in the Bill of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Derby, and adopted in the City Police Bill of last year.
§ MR. BURDETT-COUTTSMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that the pay of the City Police is considerably higher than the pay of the Metropolitan Police? I desire to give notice that in Committee upon this Bill I will move an Amendment embodying the terms contained in my question.
§ MR. MATTHEWSI am afraid that I cannot reply to the question in detail, without notice. I will, however, make full inquiry into the question if the hon. Member will put down another question.