§ Mr. HAYESasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of police officers in the Scottish police who died while serving, after having completed the necessary service to qualify for pension, during the years 1908 and 1918, inclusive?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI am not in possession of the information desired by the hon. Member. The number could only be ascertained by inquiry involving considerable time and expense.
§ Mr. HAYESasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of police officers still alive who were pensioned, with and without medical certificates, respectively, from the Scottish police prior to the 1st September, 1918, their ages, and whether married, single, or widowers; and the number of widows of the same class of pensioners and their ages?
§ Sir J. GILMOURFour hundred and sixty-nine members of police forces in Scotland who retired on pension prior to the 1st September, 1918, were alive on 15th May, 1927, the latest date for which38W I have particulars. As at that date their ages were approximately as follow:
60 years or under … … 40 61–70 years … … 152 71–80 years … … 236 81–88 years … … 41 Information as to the numbers who retired with and without medical certificates could only be ascertained by expending considerable time and labour. There is no record, so far as I am aware, of the other particulars referred to in the question.
§ Mr. HAYESasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the practice obtaining in the payment of police pensions in Scotland so that in a leap year the pensioner shall not lose one day's pension; whether he has made any rule or regulation or issued a Scottish Office circular covering this point; and, if not, whether he will consider advising a uniform practice of payment of either an extra day's pension once every four years or 365¼ days' pension each year?
§ Sir J. GILMOURAs regards the first part of the question, I have no information as to the practice obtaining in the payment of pensions under the Police (Scotland) Act, 1890. Scottish police officers serving on the 1st July, 1919, come normally under the Police Pensions Act, 1921, and under that Act there is no power to increase pensions in respect of leap years. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. As regards the third part, I see no remain for action on my part in present circumstances.