HL Deb 17 February 1857 vol 144 cc738-9
VISCOUNT DUNGANNON

asked the President of the Council if it were intended by the Home Department permanently to rescind the rules relative to the qualifications of persons to be chosen as chief constables in the several counties of England and Wales, as respected their age not exceeding forty-five years, and their not having been declared bankrupts, or never having passed through the Insolvent Court? He had heard that the rules had recently been rescinded, and he wished to know what were to stand in their place.

LORD HATHERTON

explained that some appointments having been made in Ireland, which were found to be obnoxious to the regulations, the law officers of the Crown were consulted, and pronounced them invalid. To legalise these appointments, a short Bill would be brought in, and the disqualification on the ground of insolvency withdrawn.