§ 81. Mr. C. WILSONasked the Home Secretary whether he can state, for the five years ending 1913, the number of police constables and sergeants who retired from the force after serving not more than 5, 10, 15, 20 or 25 years, respectively; and whether he can state how many of such men were patrol men as distinguished from those performing other duties?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANAs regards the Metropolitan police, the total number of men of all ranks who left the force owing to resignation, death or otherwise, during the five years in question, was 4,336, but details of their rank and length of service are not immediately available. I have no figures for the county and borough forces. To obtain particulars in the form asked 2257 for by the hon. Member it would be necessary to examine the individual records. This would involve a great expenditure of time and labour, especially if the inquiry were extended to the county and borough forces, and I should be most reluctant to ask for the preparation of any such return.