§ 22. Mrs. Corbetasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why two senior police officers were recently transferred at short notice from the Peckham and Camberwell sub-division, in view of the fact that such precipitate transfer inflicts hardship on the officers concerned, and has acted as a reflection on their competence and integrity.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerThese officers were transferred because the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis decided that it was necessary in the interests of efficiency. I understand that they have been informed that the transfer in no way reflects on their integrity and I have no reason to think that there is any hardship other than the normal inconvenience which is caused by transfers.
§ Mrs. CorbetWill the right hon. Gentleman agree that there are a number of unsatisfactory features to this case, and will he undertake that a full inquiry will be made into them?
§ Mr. ButlerI regret that I cannot agree to that. I must leave matters of this sort to the discretion of the Commissioner of Police.