Widows of RUC officers killed before November 1982 are to receive lump sum payments to compensate for their loss, the British government has announced.
Under the plan, announced by Northern Secretary Dr John Reid, each widow will receive £2,000 for every year she has been widowed to date or up to remarriage. The average payment for those who have not remarried will be £50,000 tax free.
After a meeting with RUC widows and the North's First Minister, Mr David Trimble, Dr Reid also announced that a new foundation would be established commemorating the RUC.
The RUC George Cross Foundation will assume responsibility for a garden of remembrance to police officers killed during the Troubles, a new RUC museum, and the provision of education bursaries.
Dr Reid said: "These announcements demonstrate our commitment to the implementation of the Good Friday agreement and the Patten Report, and to honour the achievements of the RUC.
"The government has written to the widows of RUC officers who were murdered by terrorists before November 1982 to tell them that we have considered very carefully the representations we have received and have resolved the outstanding issues.
"Lump sum payments will be made in a couple of days."
The rate of lump sum payment per year doubles that recommended by the Steele Report, which suggested widows should receive £1,000 for each year. The total cost of the lump sum payments will be £4.2 million.
Dr Reid confirmed that appointments would be made soon to a trust which will administer the fund. The announcement was welcomed by Mr Trimble. "Obviously there is a financial aspect to this but the most important thing to them is that they haven't been forgotten and the sacrifice that was made is remembered and honoured and respected."
The development was also welcomed by the DUP, but Mr Ian Paisley jnr said widows of UDR and Royal Irish Regiment personnel should receive similar compensation.