§ 66. Mr. PETOasked the Home Secretary whether the scale of pensions of officers in the police force who retired before the date in 1918, when the new scale of pensions came into force, will now be considered with a view to a more generous scale being adopted?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONAs stated by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the 23rd April, it has been decided to introduce legislation to improve the scale of pension increases under the Pensions Increase Act, 1920. My right hon. Friend cannot make any further statement at present as to police pensioners in particular.
§ Mr. PETOWhen is it likely that this legislation will be initiated? Can the hon. Gentleman give us any promise of the improvement, of these pensions in the present Session?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONQuestions as to legislation ought to be addressed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
§ Mr. R. YOUNGIs the hon. Gentleman aware that pensions tinder the Act quoted are not being paid, and are cut down by 50 per cent. in some parts of the country?
§ 67. Mr. HAYESasked the Home Secretary whether it is intended to appoint a Committee to inquire into the present standard of remuneration of the police service; if so, can he give particulars of the members of the Committee and their terms of reference; and whether the rank and file of the police service will be allowed to give evidence?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONNo decision to appoint such a Committee has been arrived at. If any such inquiry should be initiated, it would clearly be necessary to afford representatives of all ranks full opportunity for submitting evidence.
§ Mr. HAYESIn view of the unsettled state of mind of many men in the Service, will the hon. Gentleman consider the reappointment of the Desborough Committee, which had the confidence of members of the force and of this House, so that it might consider questions of importance to the Service?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONI will certainly put that suggestion before my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.
§ Mr. F. GRAYCan we have an assurance that there will be no reduction of police pay until this House has had an opportunity of considering the matter?