§ MR. LAWSON (St. Pancras, W.)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, What is the principle of promotion in all the grades of the Metropolitan Police Force; whether there is any limit of age or other personal disqualification stated in the Police Regulations as a bar to promotion; how many officers have been appointed from the Army as Chief Constables in the last two years; if they have taken the place of the District Superintendents; when, and why, the post of District Superintendent was abolished; and, whether these gentlemen were not capable of performing the duties of the new office?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)All promotions up to the rank of Superintendent are made from the next rank below. Those best qualified in all respects are selected, seniority of service being duly considered. There is no absolute limit of age; but in ordinary cases a sergeant is not promoted to be 244 Inspector if he is over 40, and a constable is not promoted to be sergeant if he has had more than 10 years' service, or is over 35. A man of insufficient education, or against whom there have been reports, would not be promoted. Two Army officers have been promoted during the last two years. The office of District Superintendent has not been abolished; but the name has been changed to that of Chief Constable. All the present Chief Constables—five in number— were District Superintendents.
§ MR. LAWSONasked, what place the two Army officers had taken?
§ MR. MATTHEWSThey have been appointed Chief Constables.