§ 7. Brigadier Medlicottasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is now the establishment of police in the Metropolitan area; and what is the present strength.
§ Mr. EdeThe male establishment is 19,717 and the present strength, excluding men seconded or serving overseas, is 15,813. The corresponding numbers for women police are 338 and 333.
§ Brigadier MedlicottIs the Home Secretary satisfied that the recruiting figures are now moving in the right direction?
§ Mr. EdeNo, Sir. I am not satisfied with the recruiting figures for men, but I think that the recruiting figures for women are exceedingly satisfactory.
§ Mr. GammansCould the right hon. Gentleman say to what extent the force has increased since the new pay scales came into operation?
§ Mr. EdeThe hon. Gentleman will not expect me to give an exact answer to the latest unit, but it is somewhere between 330 and 340.
§ Earl WintertonIs it the case that there is a very large wastage from the force of recruits with less than one year's service; and if so, would he look into the reasons why these men voluntarily resign?
§ Mr. EdeThere was a considerable wastage there, but I am glad to say that since the publication of the Oaksey Report and the adoption of the first part of it, that tendency has lessened considerably.