Mr. DOYLEasked the Home Secretary, whether he has received a memorandum on behalf of the ex-police officers who retired on pensions prior to 1st April, 1919, showing the inequality of treatment compared with those officers who retired at a later date; whether he is aware that a constable who retired after 1st April, 1919, is found to be in receipt of a pension not only greater than that of one of his own rank, but considerably greater even than that of an inspector who retired a little before that date, and that a sergeant who retired after 1st April is in receipt of a pension not only far greater than that of a sergeant, but considerably greater than that of a superintendent who retired before that date; and whether he will take steps to remedy these and other disparities between officers of the same rank?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the third part, I regret that the Government cannot agree to introduce the legislation which would be necessary to provide for the increase of these pensions. I would refer the hon. Member to what was said by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the House last Friday.
§ Mr. JOHNSONasked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the continuous rise in the cost of living, he will now reconsider his former decision as to the pensions of police officers who retired prior to the existing pensions scale coming into operation, and will consider the desirability of promoting legislation to place all pensioned officers upon an equal footing?
§ Mr. SHORTTI would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Debate of last Friday. I regret that these pensions cannot be increased.