§ 34. Mr. Roland Robinsonasked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the increase in the cost of living, he will consider a revision of police pensions granted prior to 1st April, 1919?
§ Sir J. AndersonPolice pensions granted prior to 1st April, 1919, in common with other classes of pensions, may in certain circumstances be increased under the provisions of the Pensions (Increase) Acts, 1920 and 1924. Any further increase in police pensions could be considered only in connection with a review of pension rates generally.
§ Mr. RobinsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that since the outbreak of war the distress among old police pensioners has increased, and will he promise to see that their case is not overlooked because there are so few of them?
§ Sir J. AndersonTheir case will not be overlooked when the general question is taken into consideration.
§ Mr. G. GriffithsWill the right hon. Gentleman also see that no means test is applied to them?
§ 35. Mr. Robinsonasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the in equality of treatment of widows of police pensioners in regard to pensions; and whether he will make an enquiry as to whether, in view of the changes now being effected in pensions, some measure of reform may be introduced placing them all substantially on the same higher basis?
§ Sir J. AndersonI understand that my hon. Friend has in mind the question of granting pensions to the widows of constables who retired before the passing of the Police (Pensions) Act, 1918. This 551 proposal has been considered many times by successive Governments, and I regret that I can hold out no hope of legislation to alter the existing position.