HC Deb 16 November 1944 vol 404 cc2096-8
22. Rear-Admiral Beamish

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the Corporation of London has made a decision in favour of police who joined their Force before 28th July, 1921; and if he will make a statement on the subject as to whether it is intended to extend this decision in favour of the police force in general.

Mr. H. Morrison

The Police Pensions Act, 1921, included a special provision that the application of the Act to the City of London police force should not prejudice any right possessed by any member of the force at the date of the passing of the Act—that is the 28th July, 1921. The City of London police authority were recently advised that the effect of this provision was that members of the force who were serving before the 28th July, 1921, were entitled, if they wished, to have their pensions assessed in accordance with the statutory provisions which applied to the force before that date. The section under which this action was taken applies only to the City of London police force; and, as regards other police forces, there is nothing I can usefully add to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Lincoln (Mr. Liddall) on 28th September.

Rear-Admiral Beamish

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the extra years of service were made at the time of great difficulty in the police force, and that those extra years bear very hardly indeed on a great many of the men?

Mr. Morrison

The situation in the City of London, I am afraid, was somewhat fortuitous, and I am not sure it was intended to work out as it has done. I do not think I can add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Lincoln.

Mr. Liddall

Is my right hon. Friend aware that that reply caused considerable discontent among the police force throughout the country?

25. Mr. Parker

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has considered some revision of the basic police pay, in view of the increase of the cost of living and, in particular, some revision of the terms on which recruits now enter the service.

Mr. H. Morrison

As my hon. Friend is, no doubt, aware, the regular police are receiving, in addition to their basic pay, a pensionable war supplement of 19s. a week. The question of the revision of basic pay, and of the terms on which recruits will enter the police service when recruitment is recommenced raises an entirely separate issue, on which I am not at present in a position to make any statement.