§ 37. Mr. THOMAS RICHARDSONasked on what grounds the Home Office refuse their consent to the decision of the standing joint committee of the Durham County Council to pay Police-constable J. Welsh, who had an accident when on duty, and who has ten years and eleven months' service in the force, a pension according to Scale B, Section B, of the Police Act of 1890?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe case referred to by my hon. Friend is presumably that of ex-Police-constable John Welsh. On examination of the Durham Police Pension Fund accounts at the Home Office, it was found that a higher pension had been granted to this man than the Statute, according to the generally accepted interpretation, would permit; and the Government contribution had to be adjusted accordingly. The local authority were informed of this, and it would appear that they thought it necessary to reduce the amount previously awarded. As the point is one of some importance, I am consulting the Law Officers of the Crown in the matter.