HL Deb 23 January 1996 vol 568 c66WA
Lord Harris of Greenwich

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the arrangements for compensating special constables who are injured while on duty.

Baroness Blatch

Special constables who are injured while on duty are entitled to benefits—"sick pay"—which are prescribed in the following regulations: The Special Constables Regulations 1965; the Special Constables (Pensions) Regulations 1971 as amended by the Special Constables (Pensions) Regulations 1973 as amended by the Special Constables (Pensions) Regulations 1980; the Special Constables (Injury Benefit) Regulations 1987; and the Special Constables (Amendment) (Number 2) Regulations 1992.

It is open to a police authority to consider making an ex gratia payment to a special constable who does not qualify for benefit under the regulations.

The current Working Group on the Special Constabulary, under Home Office chairmanship, has been considering the compensation arrangements for specials injured on duty as part of its terms of reference. The working group is expected to report to Ministers within the next few months.