§ 16. Mr. Osborneasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what would be the annual cost of granting uniform pensions to police constables and sergeants, irrespective of their date of retirement; and if he will consider taking this action for the relatively small number of older police pensioners.
§ Mr. RentonAs regards the first part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer my right hon. Friend gave him on 13th November last.
In answer to the second part, my right hon. Friend would not feel justified in singling out police pensioners from among other public service pensioners for special treatment.
§ Mr. OsborneIs not my hon. And learned Friend aware that this relatively 534 small number of junior policemen who are retired feel that they were born forty years too soon and that they are not getting a fair share of what is going by way of pensions? Since it would cost so little and they have been very good public servants, will the hon. and learned Gentleman consider the matter and be generous to them?
§ Mr. RentonWhat my hon. Friend is suggesting is a departure from the general principles on which public service pensions are awarded. Such a question should be directed to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.