asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many members of the East Riding Constabulary have secured their pension under Section 6 (3) of the Police Pensions Act, 1921; whether these officers are being given a non-pensionable addition to their pay in order to retain them; and how many ex-service men who joined the force since 1918 have been discharged during the current year?

I am informed that one member of the East Riding Constabulary has had his pension secured under Section 6 (1) of the Police Pensions Act, 1921, and has been granted a non-pensionable allowance of £26 a year under Section 6 (3). Ten others have had their pensions secured under earlier Acts, and receive similar allowances. Five ex-service men, who joined the force since 1918, have left it during the current year—one resigned, one was dismissed for drunkenness, and three were discharged as unlikely to become efficient constables.

If these time-expired men, who by reason of length of service have earned the right to retire on pension, took their pensions, would the necessity for discharging the ex-service men throughout the country arise?

There is absolutely no connection between the two actions.