§ MR. D. MACALEESE (Monaghan, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland how many constables in the Belfast police force have been promoted to the rank of acting sergeant since the present Commissioner took over charge of the city force, and what was the length of the service of each; at the present time, how many constables in Belfast of over 20 years' service are recommended for promotion by the respective district inspectors of the city force; and, in view of the fact that the Inspector General recently, in reviewing the Belfast force, stated in the hearing of the men that constables were eligible for promotion till they had reached 22 years' service, will he advise the Inspector General to give effect to the statement by at once promoting a number of constables of long service to the rank of acting sergeant to fill up existing vacancies in the Belfast police force?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURTwelve constables have been promoted since the present Commissioner's appointment. Of these, two had eight years' service, one 11, one 15, four 16, one 18, one 19, and two 20 years' service. Twelve constables of upwards of 20 years' service are at present recommended for promotion by their district inspectors. The 274 Inspector General is quite prepared to consider the candidature for promotion of well-qualified constables who have over 20 years' service if well recommended by their officers, but he observes there are, at present, no vacancies, and promotions cannot, of course, be made till there are vacancies to fill.