28. Mr. HORE-BF-LISHAasked the Home Secretary whether his attention 1926 has been called to the proceedings in bankruptcy against a former detective-inspector of the London City police, in which Mr. Justice Farwell, on the 28th May last, held on the application of the official receiver that the pension of the debtor was assignable for the benefit of his creditors; and whether he will state what action he is taking, in view of the fact that in pursuance of powers vested in the Home Secretary as police authority for Metropolitan Police officers, he issued a regulation in February, 1931, laying down that pensions were not assignable?
§ Mr. SHORTThe case referred to must, I think, be one which was decided in May, 1930. The matter turns not on any Regulations of the Secretary of State but on the provisions of the Police Pensions Act, 1921, and the Bankruptcy Acts. If the hon. Member has in mind the note which appears at the head of the Identity Certificate issued to Metropolitan Police pensioners, my right hon. Friend thinks that is correct in substance and so far as it goes, but he will consider whether it should be made more explanatory or otherwise modified.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAIs the hon. Gentleman aware that I do not refer to that at all? I refer to regulations issued by the Home Secretary and dated February, 1931, a year after this case, in which he says that pensions are not assignable in cases of bankruptcy. In 1927 spite of that this police officer's pension has been assigned. I ask the hon. Gentleman, therefore, whether the regulations issued by the Home Office are ultra vires?
§ Mr. SHORTI understand that the matter does not turn upon the regulations; but having regard to the information the hon. Member has conveyed to me, I will have it inquired into again.