asked the Home Secretary whether the Police Federation now accept the principles for increased pensions for widows of police officers suggested by the Snell Committee; what is the position as regards increased pensions for existing police widows in that event; and if the Police Federation have not accepted the principles suggested by the Snell Committee, will he reconsider the decision contained in his reply of the 22nd October, 1942, with a view to compelling acceptance of the recommendations of the Snell Committee?

I am not aware that the Police Federation have modified their views on the Report of the Snell Committee. The second part of the Question does not therefore arise. As regards the last part of the Question, the absence of agreement on the fundamental question of the incidence of cost of the proposed increases makes it impossible in my view to contemplate the introduction of legislation.