HC Deb 02 March 1925 vol 181 cc31-2
55. Major HORE-BELISHA

asked the Home Secretary, with reference to his offer specially to consider the case of those police pensioners who were advised to retire from the service prior to the new scale of pensions which came into force in April, 1919, how many applications his Department has received for such special consideration; whether he has been able in any case to arrive at a decision favourable to those concerned; and whether he will state what the estimated cost would be of making a general concession in this matter?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

So far as I can discover, no such oases have been brought to my right hon. Friend's notice since his promise to the hon. Member. Two cases, and only two, had come to light previously in which a pensioner's retirement had been advanced at the instance of the police authority or the Chief Officer of Police, and in both these cases the pension has been re-assessed by the police authority, with the Secretary of State's concurrence. I do not know on what basis it is suggested that any further concessions should be made, and I am unable to give any figure in reply to the last part of the question.

Major HORE-BELISHA

Is it not within the recollection of the hon. Gentleman's Department that I have sent in many such calks, and cannot the Secretary of State see to it that those who retired a few days previous to the increase in pensions may in some cases have the benefit of it where the hardship is particularly great?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

That is just my difficulty. I understand that no cases have been sent in by the hon. and gallant Gentleman. If he has sent in cases they do not seem to have reached the Department. Perhaps he will send them again.

Sir JAMES REMNANT

Has my hon. Friend's attention been drawn to the fact that a great many of these men were asked by the authorities to retire on 31st March in order that the younger men who had gone to the Front might come back to the service at once and so save increasing the whole number of the Force, and, if so, does he not consider that that is a case which should be favourably considered by the Home Office?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will send any special cases he has in mind to the Home Office.

Sir J. REMNANT

I have sent them.