§ 27. Mr. Glenvil Hallasked the Home Secretary whether regulations under the Police and Firemen (War Service) Act, 1939, which suspend the right of police officers to retire on pension during the present emergency without the consent of the appropriate local authority, also suspend the right of the authority to retire such officers solely on the ground that they have reached the retiring age of 50 years?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonI am advised that the legal position is that the existing restrictions on the right of police officers to retire during the present emergency do not confer a right on any individual officer to continue in service. In practice, however, it is important that police authorities shall not during the present emergency terminate the services of competent men merely on the ground that they have reached the retiring age, and this principle is, I believe, generally understood.
§ Mr. MorrisonI am afraid that if a local authority does this there is nothing he can effectively do about it, but I hope the Question and answer may be helpful in the direction my hon. Friend wishes.
§ Mr. MorrisonCertainly, Sir.