§ 23. Mr. Remnantasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now consider bringing the pre-Oaksey police widows up to the new scales proposed for National Insurance pensioners.
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeI am considering what amendments to the Police Pensions Regulations will be necessary in the light of the increased rates of benefits proposed in the National Insurance Bill. As on previous occasions, police widows whose husbands died before 5th July, 1948, will benefit by any increases in police widows' pensions based on the new rates, but I cannot hold out any prospect that it will be possible to treat them more favourably than other widows whose husbands died before the introduction of the National Insurance Scheme.
§ Mr. RemnantIn thanking my right hon. and gallant Friend for his reply, may I ask him whether he is aware that that answer will give at least some hope to these widows?
§ Dr. KingIs the Home Secretary aware that the only difference between these widows and other police widows is the date on which their husbands died, and that the police themselves, out of loyalty to their dead colleagues, have always supported the claim of these widows for justice?
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeI think that the hon. Member would agree that this matter has been considered by many of my predecessors, and that it is a very difficult question. While every one of my predecessors and I have the greatest sympathy with these cases, they are very difficult and not easily dealt with by Question and answer.
Miss WardWill the Minister bear in mind that this is one of the small-income groups in respect of which we are hoping that some action will be taken by the Government?