§ 40. Mr. T. Smithasked the Rome Secretary whether he is aware that Metropolitan police short-service constables are being denied the right of application to transfer to provincial police forces unless and until they resign from the Metropolitan police; that this is contrary to the practice obtaining in provincial and Metropolitan police forces in respect of long-service men; whether any Home Office circular has been issued to chief constables on this matter; and, if so, will he state its nature?
§ Sir S. HoareI have no doubt that all chief officers of police require their men to obtain permission before applying to join another force; this is the position in the Metropolitan police as regards men on both long and short-service engagement, and chief constables have been asked not to consider any applicants who have not obtained the Commissioner's approval. It is the Commissioner's practice to allow men of either category to make one such application without previously resigning.