§ Mr. GUINEYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many district inspectors of over sixty years are now serving in the Royal Irish Constabulary; and will any steps be taken to place such officers on the retired list?
§ Mr. DUKENine district inspectors who are over sixty years of ago are at present serving in the Royal Irish Constabulary, and steps will be taken for the retirement of these officers when they have completed forty years' service, and have become entitled to the maximum pension.
§ Mr. GUINEYasked whether, having regard to the age limit for enlistment in His Majesty's Army being now raised to fifty-one years, any steps will be taken to abolish the age limit of forty-eight years, the attainment of which renders a head constable of the Royal Irish Constabulary ineligible for promotion to the rank of district inspector?
§ Mr. DUKEThe raising of the age limit for enlistment in the Army does not affect the question of the promotion of men of more than forty-eight years of age to the rank of district inspector in the Royal Irish Constabulary.
§ Mr. GUINEYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many district inspectors of the Royal Irish Constabulary have volunteered for service with His Majesty's Army in the field; whether he is aware that some of these officers are being recalled for police work in Ireland; if he will say whether the fact of their being so recalled will prevent the promotion of head constables who are in every way eligible for promotion to the rank of district inspector; and whether it is for this purposes such officers are being recalled?
§ Mr. DUKEThirty-five district inspectors of the Royal Irish Constabulary were permitted to join the Army for the period of the War. A few of these officers, who were wounded and are not now employed on service overseas, are being recalled to police duty. They are returning to the 1009W positions they temporarily vacated, and their recall does not, therefore, affect questions of claims to promotion.