Mr. PENNEFATHERasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what provision has been made for the widows and dependants of officers and men of the Forces of the Crown who have lost their lives in Ireland in consequence of reprisals made upon them for carrying out their duty of maintaining law and order; what provision is made for such men if disabled; what the total expense or liability now is under the above headings; how much of it falls upon the British taxpayer; and how much is a charge upon the districts in Ireland in which the outrages are perpetrated?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODLiberal provision is made in these cases. As regards the police, in addition to the pension payable under the terms and conditions recently revised and improved by what is known as the Desborough scheme applicable to all police forces, there is a right to claim compensation from the local authority under the Malicious Injuries Act. Pending the assessment of such compensation the Government guarantees, in the case of widows and children of a murdered policeman, the payment of a minimum allowance of two-thirds of the pay of the deceased officer. In the case of members of the military forces, pension at the appropriate Royal Warrant rate is granted provisionally pending the settlement of the claim to civil compensation. In view of the fact that a large number of claims against local authorities are at present outstanding it is not possible at the moment to deal with the latter part of the hon. Member's question.