§ MR. SUMMERBELLI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the fact that four retired military officers are at present holding the rank of superintendent in the Devonshire Constabulary, one of whom has just been appointed chief constable of the count; and, if so, whether he intends to take any steps to discourage such outside appointments.
§ MR. GLADSTONEI believe the hon. Member's statement is correct, though I have no official information in the matter. My approval is not required for the appointment of police superintendents; their selection is vested by law in the chief constables, who act in such matters under the general control of the Standing Joint Committee of the county. The matter is one entirely in their discretion, and I cannot undertake to interfere with them.