§ Mr. JOHNasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that discontent exists among the senior constables of the Royal Irish Constabulary owing to the complete deadlock in promotion; and whether, in order to facilitate promotion, he will arrange for the immediate discharge on pension of all sergeants and head 416W constables who have attained the age of sixty years and have completed forty years' service in the force, as has already been done in the case of district inspectors?
§ Mr. DUKE:Under Section 2 of the Police (Emergency Provisions) Act, 1915, members of the Royal Irish Constabulary are not permitted to retire on pension except on medical grounds, but men over sixty, who have ceased to be thoroughly active and efficient owing to age, are allowed to retire or, if unwilling, are compulsorily retired. I am informed that the number of head constables and sergeants who have attained the age of sixty and have completed forty years' service is very small. In present circumstances the Inspector-General does not think it is desirable to retire on pension thoroughly efficient men who have reached the age of sixty years, and the district inspectors who have attained that age and have completed forty years' service are not now being retired on pension unless their retirement is obligatory under Statute.