HL Deb 14 December 1948 vol 159 cc996-7

2.59 p.m.

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, I beg to move that the Special Order, as reported from the Special Orders Committee on Wednesday last, be approved. It would, I think, be wrong for me to deal extensively with the proposals in these regulations. They are chiefly of a minor character, and need not be discussed in detail to-day, although there is one feature of the new regulations about which your Lordships may like to know something.

The widow of a police officer who died before the regulations of last Session came into operation could, notwithstanding that fact, be given an allowance but, strangely enough, no provision was made for the children of such an officer. The Regulations that your Lordships now have before you to-day put that matter right, and henceforth it will be in order for the authorities to make allowances in such a case. Under the Police Pensions Act, 1921, the children of a police pensioner who died more than a year after he had retired were not allowed to receive any allowances. That matter has also been put right. Thirdly, and lastly, where children have lost their mother also, allowances can still be paid in respect of the children. I thought it right that I should mention these matters to your Lordships because they are an indication that an effort is being made to do full justice. I beg to move.

Moved, That the Special Order, as reported from the Special Orders Committee on Wednesday last, be approved.—(Lord Shepherd.)

On Question, Motion agreed to.