§ Mr. HAYESasked the Home Secretary whether, before giving his approval to the appointment of a chief, or deputy-chief, officer of police who has not passed through the various grades, he will ascertain whether there were applications for the post from experienced police officers and satisfy himself that the appointment has been made with every regard to the best interests of the police service and the public?
1505W
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONMy right hon. Friend will satisfy himself to the best of his ability that any person appointed chief constable is a fit and proper person for the post, and that his previous experience complies with the Regulation on the subject. Inquiry as to the previous experience of the unsuccessful candidates will, he thinks, be rarely, if ever, necessary. Deputy-chief constableships are held by officers of the rank of superintendent, and appointments to that rank are not subject to my approval.
Mr. C. WILSONasked the Home Secretary whether he can state, as regards the police of England and Wales, the number of men of all ranks who have completed 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, 5 and under five years' service respectively; and what number at each period are now engaged in patrol work and in other branches respectively?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThis information is not available in the Home Office. To obtain returns from the several police forces would involve a good deal of labour, which I hesitate to impose upon the officers concerned.