§ 95. Mr. Mikardoasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the National Association of Retired Police Officers concerning the level of police pensions; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeI have received no representations from this Association, but I have carefully reviewed the representations which were made to my predecessor. These were to the effect that police pensions should be re-assessed in the light of the prevailing cost of living and that pensions granted to police widows whose husbands died before 5th April, 1949, should be increased to the new rates introduced with effect from 1st July, 1949, in accordance with the recommendations of Lord Oaksey's Committee on Police Conditions of Service (Cmd. 7674). The first proposal affects all classes of public pensioners, and I would not feel justified in suggesting exceptional treatment in this matter for police pensioners.
As regards the second proposal, amendments to a pensions scheme are normally introduced as from a specified date, and I regret I cannot see my way to propose any alteration of the provisions of the Police Pensions Regulations in this respect.