§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Constable 2358W Green, of Portland Town station, after twenty-five years' service retired on a pension and offered to re-engage as a pensioner; whether his services were refused and he enlisted in the National Reserve; whether, whilst refusing fit men like ex-Police Constable Green, the authorities have been re-engaging men who left the police service ten and twelve years ago; whether, in spite of Lord Kitchener's expressed disapproval of the police authorities recruiting men of military age, the Metropolitan Police have continued to enrol young men; and if he can state how many men have joined the Metropolitan Police since the War began and the number enrolled since 1st January?
§ Mr. McKENNAConstables who on completion of twenty-five years' service have retired since the outbreak of War are not accepted for vacancies reserved for pensioners. To make good the wastage due to invalidity or retirement, which, including notices of impending retirement, aggregate 994 since the outbreak of war, 977 men have been enlisted; 445 of these since the 1st January. Unless normal wastage is replaced it would be impossible for the Commissioner of Police to comply with the many requisitions for men made upon him by the naval and military authorities. Every such requisition has up to the present been complied with, and in addition a large number of members of the force have since the outbreak of war been permitted to join the Colours.