HC Deb 03 May 1923 vol 163 cc1587-8
23. Mr. HAROLD GRAY

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Police Constable William Huckle, of Newmarket, was ordered to hand in his uniform on 1st April, 1919; and whether, seeing that this constable was consequently on duty subsequent to 31st March, 1919, and could have been called upon to perform duties during the early hours of 1st April, 1919, he will be held entitled to a pension on the higher scale, which is payable to all who were discharged subsequent to 31st March, 1919?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

I am informed that ex-Police Constable Huckle ceased duty at 10.30 p.m. on 31st March, 1919, and his journal for that day contains the entry, "Retired after 33 years 2 months 9 days' service." He was not on duty on 1st April and was not regarded as available for duty on that day. In these circumstances, my right hon. Friend sees no ground for the suggestion that Police Constable Hackle is entitled to reassessment of his pension on the higher scale.

Sir J. REMNANT

Will the hon. Member ask the Home Secretary to look into this matter further, in order to see whether this man, who had to parade on 1st April in accordance with the orders and instructions given to him, was not, as the ordinary man would believe, carrying out his duties, and, therefore, on duty and, if so, is he not entitled to the increased pension?

Mr. HAYES

Is it not a fact that the conveyance of a uniform after a man has completed his tour of duty is regarded as additional duty, so much so that, in the Metropolitan Police, for which the hon. Gentleman's Department is directly responsible, there is an instruction that a man must hand in his uniform before he completes his tour of duty; and is he aware that, in a recent High Court decision against the Standing Joint Committee of Gloucestershire, it was held that a man who was on duty for only half-an-hour after he had completed his time for pension was actually entitled to the increased pension?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

In reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Holborn (Sir J. Remnant), I will convey what he says to the Home Secretary, but I understand that this man was not told to parade on let April.

Sir J. REMNANT

I have seen the instruction to him to do so.

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

In reply to the hon. Member for Edge Hill (Mr. Hayes), I understand that this officer did not attend to hand in his uniform on 1st April, but that the articles of clothing were handed in by another officer.

Sir J. REMNANT

He took them himself.

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

No.