HC Deb 10 November 1921 vol 148 cc574-6
7. Sir J. BUTCHER

asked the Chief Secretary what provision has been made, or will be made, for men of the Irish police, forces who, whilst acting in the discharge of their duty, were seriously wounded by Sinn Feiners and the Irish republican army, and who, in consequence of such wounds, had to retire from the force whether a distinction is made between those so wounded before 1st April, 1919. and since that date; and whether those so wounded before 1st April, 1919, and who were consequently forced to retire, will receive something more than they would have received had they retired voluntarily?

Sir H. GREENWOOD

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the full reply which I gave to him on this subject on the 19th April last. The pay of the police was increased as from 1st April, 1919, and consequently pensions awarded in respect of retirement on or after that date are in general based on higher rates of pay than pensions awarded in respect of retirement before that date. Certain changes in the pension scale, apart from the pay on which it is based, have also become operative subsequent to the 1st April, 1919. The men referred to in the last part of the question who were obliged in consequence of non-accidental injury to retire before 1st April, 1919, having served for a period which would have entitled them to retire voluntarily have, in fact, been awarded pensions greater than they would have received had they retired voluntarily on the completion of the same period of service.

Sir J. BUTCHER

Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that men who in the discharge of their duty have been wounded by Sinn Feiners get no extra allowance or pension to compensate them for those wounds and for the compulsory retirement which follows upon the wounds?

Sir H. GREENWOOD

In these cases the men get awards for malicious injuries. They get cash payments on account of the awards they receive from the County Court Judges, in addition to their pensions.

Sir J. BUTCHER

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the majority of cases these awards for malicious injuries which are supposed to be paid by county councils are not paid at all, and that consequently men—of whom I can give the right hon. Gentleman particulars if he requires—who have got these awards, have really got nothing whatever to compensate them for wounds received in the service of the British Government?

Lieut. - Colonel ARCHER - SHEE

Should not those policemen who were wounded before 18th April, 1919, be placed on exactly the same footing as those wounded afterwards?

Sir H. GREENWOOD

In reference to wounded policemen or soldiers, they have the first claim on the money under my control intercepted from the grants to local authorities. I know of no case where a wounded soldier or policeman has not had a cash advance on the amount of his claim.

Colonel Sir C. YATE

Will the right hon. Gentleman see to it that these wounded and disabled policemen get the same training allowance and other allowances as men disabled in the Great War?

Mr. SPEAKER

That question does not arise.