§ MR. J. TUITE (Westmeath, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, (1) whether mounted acting sergeants and sergeants are compulsorily transferred to the Infantry force after 30 years' service, while head constables and constables are allowed to remain to complete the term which entitles them to full pension; (2) whether the want of knowledge of Infantry duty compels the men so transferred to retire at an earlier period than they would be obliged to had they been allowed to remain in the mounted force; and (3) whether, if such a grievance exists, he can see his way to have it remedied?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURIt is the fact that mounted sergeants and acting sergeants are compulsorily transferred to the Infantry force when they have completed 30 years' service, and though the rule does not, at present, include mounted head constables, of 427 whom there are three, yet it will also be applied to them should they remain so long in the force. The Inspector-General thinks it not unlikely that the effect of the rule may be as stated in the second paragraph, though it is to be borne in mind that all men on attaining 30 years' service are eligible for full pension, and the maintenance of the rule is considered by him to be necessary to ensure the efficiency of the mounted force.