§ 9. Captain Ryderasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that the awards for those disabled while serving in the police prior to July, 1948, are considerably lower than the awards paid after that date under the Industrial Injuries Act; and whether he will take steps to remove this anomaly.
§ Mr. EdeI agree that cases may arise in which a policeman who was injured before the industrial injuries scheme came into effect might have received more by way of aggregate benefits if that scheme had applied to him. This is inevitable where new benefits are introduced as from a specified date, and I would not feel justified in suggesting that the police should be placed in a specially favoured position in this respect.
§ Captain RyderIs it not true that men in industry are covered by the workmen's compensation Acts and that this does not apply to men in the police? Is the Home Secretary satisfied that a police constable who has a 75 per cent. disability should receive only £36 a year by way of compensation?
§ Mr. EdeI am not satisfied with a good many things, but that is a matter which has to be dealt with as part of a general and not a particular problem.
§ Sir Ronald RossDoes the right hon. Gentleman agree that if he gives the police equality of benefits with these other cases, he would not be putting them in a privileged position? Or would he?
§ Captain RyderIf the home Secretary is not satisfied, may I ask him to consider remedying this anomaly?