§ Mr. Goodhartasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will now take action to ensure that the families of all members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary killed by terrorist action receive a payment of at least £16,575.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesSpecial and favourable pension arrangements are made for the widows of former members of the RUC killed as a result of terrorist activity. They are entitled to a police pension which is nearly half of their husband's average pay with an addition for dependent children. In addition they receive a gratuity amounting to £5,731.
Further benefits available are a lump sum award of £1,000 for a widow plus £250 for each dependent child from the Government Police Fund. If the husband was a subscriber, a further £1,500 can be awarded under a widows' and dependants' scheme and £200 from the voluntary fund.
As is the case with widows and dependants of Service men, widows and dependants of members of the RUC killed as a result of terrorist activity are also eligible to claim compensation under the Criminal Injuries to Persons (Compensation) Act (Northern Ireland) 1968, but any award takes account of payment of pensions from public funds.