§ Mr. J. DAVISONasked the Home Secretary whether constables whose period of 1152W service expired during the War were not allowed to retire; whether he is aware that by fixing the new scale of pensions for all men who retired after the 1st April, 1919, hardship is being caused to men whose services were compulsorily retained; that now a police-sergeant who retired in March, 1919, with twenty-two years' service receives less pension to the extent of £1 5s. a week than another with only twenty-six years' service who retired in April, 1919; and whether he will consider the advisability of removing this anomaly,
§ Mr. SHORTTConstables who would have been entitled to retire after twenty-six years' service have been in many cases retained during the War. I am aware that those men who retired in March missed the increase of pension granted from the 1st April, but it is not possible to carry back the increase of pay and pension beyond 1st April.