§ 29. Dr. Kingasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether in view of the rise in the cost of living, he will reconsider the position of policemen's widows whose husbands died before the date of the Oaksey award, with a view to bringing them into line with other policemen's widows.
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeIncreases for these widows are being considered in the light of the increases proposed by the Pensions (Increase) Bill, but I cannot hold out any hope that it will be possible to treat them more favourably than other widows whose husbands died before the introduction of the National Insurance Scheme.
§ Dr. KingIs the Home Secretary aware that hon. Members on both sides of the House have been pressing him and his predecessors to remedy this injustice? Would he not agree that it is in keeping with the spirit and tenor of the Bill we are about to discuss later this afternoon that he should take steps to deal with this injustice?
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeAs the hon. Member said, this is a subject which has been drawn to the attention of my predecessor and myself for some time, but the National Association of Retired Police Officers recently submitted some specific proposals on behalf of these widows which are now being considered.
Mr. JenningsDoes not the Home Secretary agree that this injustice could be righted if he collaborated with the Financial Secretary to the Treasury over Clause 7 of the Bill we are to debate this afternoon?