32. Colonel BURNasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if any decision has been arrived at as to granting an increase to the pensions of the retired police constables to enable them to meet the present-day prices of the necessaries of life?
34. Mr. A. T. DAVIESasked whether it is proposed to increase the pensions of ex-members of the police force who retired previously to August, 1914; and what measures have been taken to secure this?
§ 35. Major ENTWISTLEasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a sergeant of the police force who retired in February last, and who had been detained two and a quarter years over his time through the War, is only receiving a pension of £2 Os. 1¼d. per week, whereas a sergeant who retired two months later with only twenty-six years' service will, under the new rates of pension, receive £3 15s. per week; and whether he proposes to take any steps to remedy this state of affairs, and particularly to make the increased rates in the pensions retrospective as regards men who served throughout the War?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Shortt)The amount of the pension depends on the officer's pay at the date of his retire-ment, and cannot be increased beyond the proportion fixed by the Police Act, 1890, without alteration of the law. As I have already explained, the hardship from which police pensioners suffer owing to the rise of prices is shared by other pensioners and by all persons with small fixed incomes, and I am sorry that I cannot propose legislation for their relief.
Sir F. HALLIs it not a fact that these pensions were granted with the idea or intention that for the work these men had done for the State they should be able to receive sufficient properly to house, clothe and feed them?
§ Mr. SHORTTYes, and I believe that applies to all pensioners.
Sir F. HALLIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the value of these pensions having been depreciated by at least 50 per cent., these people are not in the position now to be properly housed, fed and clothed, and will he consider whether some provision could not be made to bring them up to the present level?
§ Mr. SHORTTThat has all been considered.
§ Mr. BILLINGIs it not a fact that a number of these pensioners were called out for special service during the War, and has the adjustment been made in this case to men who have served since 1914?
§ Mr. SHORTTThat is part of the law which has been considered. We are bound by the law in that respect.