37. Mr. F. HALLasked the Home Secretary if he will have inquiry made into the case of Matthew Barrett, a constable in the Metropolitan police force, who was invalided from the force in 1894 after twelve years' service; if he is aware that previous to joining the police Barrett served for fourteen years with the Royal Irish Fusiliers, being discharged from that regiment in 1882 with a good conduct certificate; if he will state whether Barrett received any pension or gratuity on his retirement from either the Army or the police; and if he will consider the practicability of arranging in cases in which combined service in the Army or Navy and the Metropolitan police or some similar public service exceeds a certain period of granting a pension?
§ Mr. McKENNAMatthew Barrett was invalided from the Metropolitan Police in 1894, after twelve years of service, and he was given the gratuity to which his service entitled him. He had served in the Royal Irish Fusiliers, but the police records do not show his length of service. I have no power to combine Army service with police service for the purposes of pension in the manner suggested by the hon. Member.
Mr. F. HALLDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think it would be good policy, both in regard to the Army and the Navy, if the time given in either Service could be counted in subsequent service?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member must give notice of that question.