HL Deb 03 December 1952 vol 179 cc699-700

2.37 p.m.

LORD MACPHERSON OF DRUMOCHTER

My Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the amount of pension which will be paid to the widow and family of the late P.C. Miles, who lost his life in the recent Croydon case.]

THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (LORD LLOYD)

My Lords, I am sure I shall be representing the views of all noble Lords present this afternoon if I begin by expressing my sympathy with the widow of Constable Miles. For the first thirteen weeks after her husband's death, she will receive a widow's pension of £2 2s. 6d. a week under the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Act, together with the police widow's special pension of £18s. 2d. a week. After the expiration of this period, she will receive a National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) pension at the rate of £ 1 a week, but the police pension will be increased to £1 16s. 4d. a week, making a total benefit of £2 16s. 4d. a week. I understand that the late Constable Miles left no children.

LORD MACPHERSON OF DRUMOCHTER

While thanking the noble Lord for his explanation, may I ask Her Majesty's Government whether they appreciate the difficulty which the widow of P.C. Miles will experience in carrying on, after having lost her husband and breadwinner, and whether, in exceptional cases like this, where a police officer sacrifices his life in our service, some special provision could not be made?

LORD LLOYD

As the noble Lord probably is aware, this matter was raised in another place about a fortnight ago, and on that occasion the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department gave an assurance that this matter would be looked at by my right honourable friend to see whether something extra could be done for constables who lost their lives in the course of duty in this particular way. I am not in a position to go any further than that this afternoon, but I can assure the noble Lord that the matter is being considered at the present time.