§ 67. Mr. COCKSasked the Home Secretary what facts he has had brought to his notice with regard to each of the eight superintendents and five chief inspectors, whom it is proposed to retire from the Metropolitan Police Force, which have satisfied him that the continuance of such officer in his office would impair the efficiency of the police force?
§ Sir J. GILMOURIn accordance with the terms of the general statement which I made to the House on the Second Reading of the Metropolitan Police Bill, the question of the retention of Superintendents and Chief Inspectors who are already entitled to full pension, has been fully reviewed in connection with the reorganisation of the force, and the Commissioner of Police, after a careful examination of each case, has satisfied me of the need, in the general interests of the efficiency of the force, for the retirement of the five Superintendents and eight Chief Inspectors in question. These officers are accordingly being required to 2594 retire, as from the 19th January, 1934, under the provisions of Section 1 (2) of the Police Pensions Act, 1921.
§ Mr. COCKSHas the right hon. Gentleman no facts about the personal conduct of these officers and have they individually given their consent under Section (2) of the Metropolitan Police Act, 1933?
§ Sir J. GILMOURIt is not a question of personal consent on their part. It is a question of the review of each particular case and of a decision taken by the Commissioner on my authority.
§ 68. Mr. LUNNasked the Home Secretary how many persons over the age of 50 are employed at New Scotland Yard whether the new order for retirement at the age of 50 for officers of the Metropolitan police force will apply to all those employed at New Scotland Yard, including the commissioner and assistant commissioners; and if so, how many vacancies will be created as a, result?
§ Sir J. GILMOURTwenty-five members of the police staff and 43 of the civil staff of all ranks and grades employed in the Commissioner's office at New Scotland Yard are over the age of 50. The measures being taken under Section 1 (2) of the Police Pensions Act, 1921, affect at present only five Superintendents and eight Chief Inspectors in the whole force, and do not apply to the civil staff.