§ Mr. Moateasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what capital sum payments are made to the estates of police officers who are killed on duty or who die off duty through accident or natural causes.
§ Mr. CarlisleUnder the statutory pension schemes for the police and fire services, payments in these circumstances are made by way of pensions and allowances to widows and children. In general, the schemes do not provide for the payment of capital sums; but there are special provisions that, where policemen or firemen die as the result of injuries received on duty in particular circumstances, lump sums, equal to twice the maximum annual pay of a London policeman or fireman as the case may be, are payable to widows or children in addition to pensions and allowances.
§ Mr. Boscawenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the current commutation rates at ages 50 and 60 years next birthday for the police and the fire services.
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§ Mr. CarlisleThe current rates for each £100 of pension surrendered are:
Policemen Age next birthday and firemen Policewomen £ £ 50 1,290 1,520 60 1,050 1,318
§ Mr. Boscawenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the reasons for the requirements governing approval of commutation for the police and fire services.
§ Mr. CarlisleThe main requirements relate to the proportion of pension that may be commuted, the timing of the election to commute, and a minimum period of service. The reasons for them are technical and actuarial, and, as regards the minimum period of service, the need to maintain adequate police and fire service strengths.