§ Captain JESSELasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the number of voluntary resignations which have taken place in the Metropolitan Police Force during the last twelve months; and how the number compares with the voluntary resignations during the last five years, taking into account the increased strength of the force?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe number for 1911, the last period readily available, was 199, or a percentage of 99 on the authorised strength on the 31st December. This represents some increase on former years, when the percentages were .84, .58, .63, and .86 respectively. The Commissioner of Police informs me that the increase is due to the fact that, owing to the rest day augmentations, the number of men recruited recently was exceptional. The great majority of resignations are among the young recruits in the early days of their service.