§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, of the 800 police officers who have been dismissed or forced to resign during the past 397W eight years, which of these were resignations and dismissals; and whether, in the case of the resignations, pensions were payable and are still being drawn.
§ Mr. BrittanIn England and Wales during the seven years ended 31 December 1978—the latest period for which figures are available—543 police officers were dismissed or required to resign as an alternative to dismissal: a further 666 officers resigned voluntarily after being charged with criminal or disciplinary offences but before the relevant charges were heard, or while under suspension.
Detailed information about the treatment of pensions in all these cases is not available. There can be no question of interfering with the pension entitlement of an officer who is not convicted of a criminal offence but resigns voluntarily, whether or not in anticipation of disciplinary proceedings.