§ 59. Major GLYNasked the Home Secretary the total number of the borough and county police forces in England and Wales respectively; what is the average size of a borough police force of towns of less than 200,000 inhabitants; and what is the sum paid by the Government each year to assist in the maintenance of all police forces, excluding the Metropolitan Police?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThere are 60 county forces, with a total authorised establishment of 18,005, and 122 borough forces, with an establishment of 18,598. There are 106 borough forces in towns of less than 200,000 inhabitants, the largest having an establishment of 208 men, and the smallest, 11 men. The average establishment of these forces is 80. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to a question by the hon. Member for Romford (Mr. Rhys) on the 7th instant.
§ Sir JAMES REMNANTIn view of the right hon. Gentleman's known and expressed wish to study economy, may I ask whether he cannot see his way to urge at once the merging of these several small forces, the numbers of some of which, I think he will find from his own 1607 published statements, are as low as nine, while there are a great many under 50? Can he not see his way to push on with the merging of these small forces in the counties?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI am personally very anxious to get these small forces merged, but I have no power; I can only advise the local authorities concerned.
§ Sir J. REMNANTIs it not a fact that the taxpayers of the country have to pay one-half of the expense, and has not the right hon. Gentleman very great power in the fact that he can grant or not grant one-half of the expense of these forces?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSAs my hon. Friend says, I have the power of the purse, but I do not want to override the authority of local authorities who have had their police forces for so many years past.