HC Deb 11 December 1952 vol 509 cc656-7
29. Mr. Remnant

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will take steps to reduce the number of rates of pension payable to police widows and simplify the procedure.

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

The Police Pensions Regulations, 1952, which were approved by this House earlier this week, will abolish the present distinction between the rates payable to some classes of police widows and will also enable police authorities to dispense with certain periodic reviews in individual cases. I am sorry that it has not been possible to simplify the scheme further.

Mr. Remnant

If, as the Association of Retired Police Officers anticipates, considerable difficulty will remain, will my right hon. and learned Friend consider representations made by them if he finds them to be well founded?

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

The House did discuss this matter quite fully a day or two ago, and I refer my hon. Friend to the speech of the Joint Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department.