HC Deb 05 February 2001 vol 362 c424W
17. Mr. Paul Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he has taken to reduce the proportion of police officers who retire early. [147104]

Mrs. Roche

The Government recognise the need for more efficient management of early retirements caused by ill-health. We have been working with forces for some time to improve management of the process and, nationally, good progress has been made in this area. Whereas in 1993–94, 53 per cent, of all police retirements in England and Wales were on the grounds of ill-health, this had declined to 31 per cent by 1999–2000.

We are currently considering what incentives could be offered so that more of those officers who currently retire on completion of 30 years' service—but before reaching compulsory retirement age—continue to serve.