§ DR. CAMERON (Glasgow, College)I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether the attention of the Secretary for Scotland has been called to the dissatisfaction which exists among the police force of Greenock at the scale of pensions awarded to them under the Act of last year; and whether, in drawing up that scale, any consideration was given to the fact that in Greenock alone in Scotland a police pension fund, showing a large surplus largely constituted of contributions from the men, existed at the date of the passing of the Act; and, if not, if the Scotch Office will consider whether the members of the Greenock force cannot in some way be recouped for the exceptional sacrifices which for many years they were called upon to make?
§ *THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. P. B. ROBERTSON,) ButeYes, Sir; the Secretary for Scotland has received representations showing the existence of some dissatisfaction among the members of the Force; but after giving the most careful attention to the question he does not think there is any real ground for complaint. A reference to the Act, and to the evidence taken before the Select Committee on the Bill, will show that the existence of the Police Pension Fund at Greenock was taken into full consideration by Parliament when the Bill was under discussion; and there appears to be no reason to think that any departure is now necessary from the decision deliberately arrived at for dealing with the fund.
§ MR. MARJORIBANKS (Berwickshire)There is a strong feeling on the subject, and, therefore, I should like to know whether the decision of the Department is final?
§ MR. J. P. B. ROBERTSONWhen the Select Committee was sitting gentlemen were sent up to represent the interests of the Force. The case was very carefully considered, and I think if any dissatisfaction exists it is due to a misunderstanding of the results that were brought out in the inquiry.