§ Mr. DENMANasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that two sergeants of the Manchester City Police who have completed more than fifteen years' service will be called up for the Army at the end of May, when they will have to resign their positions in the force and thus lose all claim to the pensions they have already earned should they be medically unfit when the time comes for them to resume their police duties; and whether he will take steps to protect the pensions earned by these men and other policemen in a similar position?
§ Sir G. CAVEA police constable with less than twenty-five years' service has no absolute right to a pension on retirement. What the Statutes give him after fifteen years' service is a right to a pension if he is compelled to retire from the police by mental or bodily infirmity. If the two sergeants referred to in the question return to their police duties they will have this right. Should they, on the other hand, be unfit to resume police duty, the police authority are empowered to supplement from police funds any pension granted them from military funds, and, I am informed, that the Manchester police authority will be prepared to exercise this power. I do not think there is any need for further legislation on the subject.