§ 52. Mr. Awberyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take powers to offer rewards to members of the general public who come to the assistance of police constables in uniform who find themselves in difficulties while on duty; and if he will take powers to pay compensation to civilians injured when rendering such assistance.
§ Mr. BrookeIt has long been the practice in appropriate cases for police authorities to reward meritorious acts by members of the public who go to the assistance of the police, and, with my approval, to makeex gratia payments to persons who suffer injury or loss in 114W these circumstances. In addition, members of the public who suffer personal injury while assisting the police will, in certain circumstances, be eligible for awards under the Government scheme for compensating victims of crimes of violence. I believe that these arrangements are adequate and that further powers are not at present required.