HC Deb 25 July 1889 vol 338 cc1247-8
MR. J. E. ELLIS: (Nottingham, Rushcliffe)

I beg to ask the Solicitor General for Ireland in what manner (whether by examination, nomination, length of service, or any other method) appointments are made to the positions in the Royal Irish Constabulary of county inspectors, district inspectors of first, second, and third class, head constables, sergeants, and acting-sergeants; and, whether there are any maximum or minimum limits of age in each of these ranks; and, in that case, what are they?

THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. MADDEN,) University of Dublin

The Constabulary Authorities report that in the Royal Irish Constabulary appointments are made as follow:—

  1. 1. To county inspectors.—Appointments are made by examination in professional qualifications from the most eligible of the first-class of district inspectors. There is no limit of age.
  2. 2. To first-class and to second-class district inspectors.—Appointments are made by seniority from the second and third classes of district inspectors respectively, when the persons so promoted are in all respects eligible for advancement.
  3. 3. To third-class district inspector.—Appointments are made by nomination—(a) of gentlemen, the sons of constabulary officers, under certain conditions, the nominees having to compete amongst themselves at an examination held by the Civil Service Commissioners; (b) of gentlemen, not the sons of constabulary officers, under certain conditions, who have to undergo a competitive examination by the Civil Service Commissioners; and (c) by examination at headquarters in literary and professional qualifications of the most suitable from the rank of head constable. In class (a) the limits of age are 19 and 26 years. In class (b) 21 and 26 years. In both these classes if a candidate can show specially qualifying service as an officer in the Army, Navy, or in a police force, he may be admitted up to the age of 28. The limit of age of head constable candidates for third-class district inspectors is 48 years.
  4. 4. To head constable.—Appointments are made from the rank of sergeant on the recommendation of the local officers by examination in literary and professional qualifications.
  5. 5. To sergeant.—Appointments are made as a rule by seniority from the rank of acting-sergeant, when qualified in every respect.
  6. 6. To acting-sergeant.—Appointments are made from the rank of constable on the recommendation of the local officers after a test examination (locally) in literary and professional qualifications, the papers for such examination being transmitted from headquarters. Except as stated above there are no limits of age in the above appointments.

MR. H. J. WILSON (York, W.R., Holmfirth)

Are these and other particulars relating to the Constabulary to be found in any document?

* MR. MADDEN

The details which I have been given have been supplied from a document furnished to me, which I shall be happy to hand to the hon. Gentleman. I do not believe that the entire information is to be found in any one Return. The information which I have given to the House is probably taken from several Returns.