§ 26. Mr. HURDasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, following upon the decision of this House in August, any payments of increased pensions have yet been made to ex-police- 983 men; and whether the process of payment in these most necessitous cases can be accelerated?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Shortt)Yes, Sir. In the Metropolitan Police payments have been made in about 700 cases. Every endeavour is being made to deal with the applications as expeditiously as possible and the staff dealing with the claims are working overtime daily until 10 p.m. I have no information as to the number of cases which have been dealt with in the County and Borough Police.
§ Mr. HURDHas the right hon. Gentleman any idea as to when it is likely that the Somerset cases will be dealt with, as much hardship is being suffered there?
§ Mr. SHORTTOver 5,000 applications have come in. These are being dealt with, and the staff are kept busy until 10 o'clock every night.