§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
What would be the total cost of bringing the pensions and compensations paid to the families of 120WA those Royal Ulster Constabulary members murdered before the increase in pension and compensation in 1982 up to the same level as the pensions and compensation paid to those whose husbands were murdered after the change of calculation, taking account of inflation; and how many families are involved. [HL3135]
§ The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Lord Falconer of Thoroton)Examination of such records as are readily available indicates that there may be in the region of 150 widows who were widowed prior to the changes being made with effect from 1982.
The Government are sympathetic to the situation of such widows if they are now experiencing financial difficulties. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has appointed John Steele, a recently retired senior civil servant in the Northern Ireland Office, to conduct a review of the purpose and scope of the new Police Fund recommended in the Report of the Independent Commission on Policing for Northern Ireland. The Patten Commission specifically recommended that the fund should provide financial assistance for police widows and could supplement the income of those on very low pensions. The review being conducted by John Steele will address this issue.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the average pensions currently being paid to Royal Ulster Constabulary widows of officers killed before November 1982; and what is the average pension of the widows of those killed after that date. [HL3598]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonThe average of pensions currently being paid to widows, widowed before and after 1982, is calculated at £532.87 and £854.72 per month respectively.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
What representations they have received against Royal Ulster Constabulary widows of officers killed before November 1982 receiving enhanced pensions at the level of those widowed after that date. [HL3597]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonThere have been no representations received against widows of RUC officers killed before November 1982 receiving enhanced pensions at the level of those widowed after that date.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why those widows of Royal Ulster Constabulary officers killed before November 1982 will not have their pensions upgraded to the enhanced level of those widowed after that date. [HL3599]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonThe pensions of widows of RUC officers murdered before and after November 1982 are paid in accordance with the Regulations in force at the time of the deaths. The Government is taking forward, however, the recommendation in the 121WA Patten Report that a substantial fund should be set up to help injured police officers, injured retired officers and their families, as well as police widows' (Recommendation 87). Patten specifically mentions that the fund could be used to supplement the income of those on very low incomes.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they consider that paying Royal Ulster Constabulary widows a pension of less than £150 per month is in keeping with the spirit sought in the Belfast Agreement; and [HL3600]
Whether they consider that having a two-tier system of pension provision for Royal Ulster Constabulary widows is in keeping with the Belfast Agreement's call for parity of esteem. [HL3636]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonThe pensions paid to some early RUC widows was commented upon in the report by the Independent Commission on Policing in Northern Ireland, set up under the provisions of the Belfast Agreement. The Commission's proposal to set up a fund to address, inter alia, their low pension position has been accepted by Her Majesty's Government and plans for it are being made at the moment.