§ 15. Captain FULLERasked the Home Secretary if he is aware that men of the military forces who are injured while participating in organised games recognised by authority are considered as on duty and treated accordingly when questions of pensions or compensation arise; and if he will consider the desirability of extending this practice to the members of the Metropolitan Police Force?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe conditions of service of soldiers and constables with respect to pensions are regulated by quite different provisions, but I do not think that it can be said that in this respect the constable is less favourably treated than the soldier. Under the Police Pensions Act the grant of special pensions is limited to cases of injury on duty, but any constable who is incapacitated by injury is entitled to an ordinary pension (i.e., on a lower scale) or gratuity, although the injury may not have been received on duty, and this applies in the case of injuries received while taking part in games.
§ Captain FULLERDoes not my right hon. Friend consider that all the forces of the Crown should be treated in the same manner?
§ Sir J. GILMOURNot necessarily.