§ Mr. HAYESasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that several local authorities are using the discretionary power contained in Section 9. Subsection (2), of the Police Pensions Act, 1921, to deprive police officers of the right to count previous service in another force towards pension without substantial reasons; and will he consider the advisability 627W of making representations to local authorities on this matter or the introduction of amending legislation in due course?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSIn the cases covered by Section 9 (2) of the Act I think the counting of the previous service should be at the discretion of the police authority, as the Act provides, and I see no occasion for any action such as the hon. Member suggests in the last part of the question.
§ Mr. HAYESasked the Home Secretary the number of Metropolitan Police pensioners on 31st July, 1914, 31st August, 1918, and 31st March, 1919, respectively; and the number of deaths for each year from 1914 to 1924, inclusive?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe particulars are as follow:
STATEMENT of Metropolitan Police Pensioners on 31st July, 1914, 31st August, 1918, and 31st March, 1919, respectively, and the number of deaths for each year from 1914 to 1924, inclusive. — Ex-Police Officers Widows of Police Officers and Police Pensioners. Total. Number of Pensioners on 31st July, 1914 9,546 41 9,587 31st August, 1918 9,508 45 9,553 31st March, 1919 9,488 143 9,631 Deaths. 1914 … … 314 — 314 1915 … … 364 1 365 1916 … … 331 2 333 1917 … … 323 1 324 1918 … … 320 1 327 1919 … … 326 1 327 1920 … … 339 2 341 1921 … … 338 2 340 1922 … … 360 6 366 1923 … … 385 4 389 1524 … … 414 3 417