HC Deb 18 December 1919 vol 123 cc634-5
28. Mr. CAIRNS

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he intends to revise the police retiring pensions with a view of equalising the value of their purchasing power as between pensions given now and pensions given before 1st April, 1919; and is he aware that many police pensioners are old and broken in health and cannot do any work?

32. Mr. GIDEON MURRAY

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that there are many police pensioners in this country who retired before April, 1919, who are receiving allowances quite incommensurate with the present cost of living; and whether the Government will make early provision to increase these pension allowances to the scale now paid to police pensioners who retired after April, 1919, which is over double the old scale?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Major Baird)

The matter has constantly been under consideration, but my right hon. Friend regrets he does not see his way to propose legislation in the sense suggested.

Mr. CAIRNS

What were the pensions before the War?

Major BAIRD

The amount varies, of course. I cannot give the figures now.

Captain ORMSBY-GORE

When is the Second Report of Lord Desborough's Committee on this likely to be published?

Major BAIRD

I must ask for notice of that question.