§ Mr. BILLINGasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the treatment of certain members of the police force throughout the country who have been compulsorily retired immediately before the introduction of the new scale of pensions; whether he is aware that these men were in many cases compulsorily retained in the service, after their due date for retirement, for war service; and whether he is prepared to give individual consideration to these cases that they may be treated on their merits?
§ Mr. SHORTTI am aware that during the War there was a large number of constables who, after they had given notice of their desire to retire on pension, were retained compulsorily under the Police (Emergency Provisions) Act. The question of when these men should be relieved from further service was one for the local police authority, and I have no power to interfere or to grant increased pensions.