MR. T. M. HEALYI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that, although by rule 4 of the Circular of 17th January, 1895, head constables are eligible to compete for promotion to the rank of district inspector at special examinations if over 42 years of age, discontent prevails among them at the narrow limits of age; are there about 20 "P" head constables over 42, and is such number certain to increase yearly; and are men who could not pass these examinations eligible for promotion up to 48 by means of a qualifying examination; has he observed that only about ten head constables competed within the past two years, and that four failed two or three times; and, in view of the desirability of securing a larger range of choice, will rule 4 be modified and the age raised to 48 for all head constables who are physically fit?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURUnder section 4 of the Circular mentioned head 158 constables, not exceeding the age of 42 years, can obtain promotion to the rank of district inspector by competitive examination. Those who merely pass a qualifying examination are eligible, under the general regulations, for promotion to that rank up to 48 years of age. This arrangement, which affords to young and clever men under 42 a better chance of promotion, is, it is believed, satisfactory to the force generally, though individuals who have failed and are now over 42 years of age may be dissatisfied with the arrangement. Fourteen head constables over 42 hold what is known as the P qualification; and it is possible that this number will be augmented in future. The answer to the third and fourth paragraphs is in the affirmative. It would be contrary to the intention of the Circular of January, 1895, to extend the limit of age as suggested, the object of the Circular being to afford men under 42 a better opportunity of promotion. Moreover, as I have already pointed out, all head constables are eligible for promotion up to 48 by means of qualifying examination.
MR. T. M. HEALYWould it be fair to treat the competitive examination as equivalent to the qualifying examination?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI do not quite follow the honourable Member.
MR. T. M. HEALYA man who passes only the qualifying examination has a right to become a sub-inspector up to 48 years of age, but he who passes the competitive examination loses the right after 42 years of age.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURNo, I think that is an error. The right continues up to 48 years of age in every case. The right ceases at 42 only in consequence of non-success in the competitive examination.
MR. T. M. HEALYWhy should not the competitive examination, which is the more severe, qualify a man up to 48 years of age?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe object is to give a special opportunity to comparatively young men to obtain promotion if they can show they are specially qualified by the competitive examination. 159 Although promotion by competitive examination ceases after 42 years of age, it still continues by means of the qualifying examination.