§ 63. Sir J. REMNANTasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home 1983 Department whether the widow of a constable who retired on a medical certificate before the 1st September, 1918, and who subsequently rejoined the force, would be entitled to a widow's pension should her husband die within five years of his rejoining the force, or would his first period of service entitle her to the pension?
Mr. DAVIESI should not like to commit myself to an opinion on such a point without further information as to the precise circumstances. If the hon. Member has any particular case in mind and will furnish me with details I shall be glad to look into the case.
§ Sir J. REMNANTIs that the hon. Member's interpretation of the Act of Parliament or has he taken the trouble to consult the Law Officers on this matter?
64. The hon. Baronet further asked the Under-Secretary whether, in view of the fact that all officers who rejoined the Metropolitan Police during the War were paid at a flat rate of 50s. a week, the widow of an ex-inspector who was serving on 1st September, 1918, would be entitled to a pension based on her husband's rank before retirement or on the temporary rank he was given when he rejoined the force?
Mr. DAVIESThe widow of an ex-inspector who was serving temporarily as an inspector on 1st September, 1918, would be entitled to the pension appropriate to an inspector's widow, notwithstanding the adoption of the flat rate of pay referred to. If, however, the ex-officer was serving in some lower rank at the termination of his temporary service the widow's pension would be that appropriate to the rank which he then held.
§ Mr. HAYESIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the fund out of which this pension is paid has been contributed to by this officer in the former higher rank which he held before he was permanently pensioned, and consequently this subsequent pension ought to be on the higher rank?
§ Sir J. REMNANTWill the hon. Member discuss this question with me afterwards?