§ 62 Mr COCKSasked the Home Secretary (1) how many officers of the Metropolitan Police Force will be affected by the new order for the retirement of superintendents at the age of 50 and chief inspectors at the age of 47: and what until now has been the retirement age of these ranks;
(2) whether the new order for the retirement of chief inspectors of the Metropolitan Police at the age of 47 applies also to divisional detective inspectors; and, if so, how many of these officers will be affected;
(3) how many inspectors or station sergeants of the Metropolitan Police Force will be debarred from promotion owing to the new order ordering the retirement of chief inspectors at the age of 47?
§ Sir J. GILMOURIn connection with the reorganisation of the force, eight superintendents and five chief inspectors are being required to retire in six months' time, in the interests of the efficiency of the force. The normal age of compulsory retirement for these ranks is 60. No divisional detective inspectors are being required to retire. The action which is being taken does not debar any inspector or station sergeant from promotion, and will, in fact, result in giving a certain number of inspectors and sergeants accelerated promotion.
§ Mr. COCKSIs it the intention not to promote anyone over 44 to the rank of superintendent, and will not that bar chief inspectors from promotion and does not the same apply at an earlier age to ordinary inspectors?
§ Sir J. GILMOURPromotion will depend on efficiency.