31. Mr. John Hallasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many men have been recruited to the police force during the 12 months ended 31st December, 1954; how many police officers have left during the same period before reaching retirement age other than for reasons of ill-health; and by what number the present strength of the total police force falls below establishment.
§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department and Minister for Welsh Affairs (Major Gwilym Lloyd-George)During 1954, 4,790 men joined police forces in England and Wales. Two thousand three hundred and twenty-one left before qualifying for an ordinary retirement pension, but I cannot say how many of these retired for reasons of ill-health. On 31st January last, these police forces were 8,832 men short of the authorisedmale establishment of 72,844.
Mr. HallWould my right hon. and gallant Friend agree that the figures which he has given about the shortage and the number below establishment reveals an unsatisfactory state of affairs? As service in the police force calls for high standards of health, intelligence, and integrity, does he think that the present pay and conditions of the service discourage new recruits?
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeCertain proposals relating to the terms of duty and so forth of the police are at present being considered by the Police Council. As for the first part of the supplementary question, this shortage is, of course, a very serious and difficult problem, particularly in the Metropolis, but it is worthy of note that the intake of 4,790 men in 1954 compares with an average intake before the war of 3,000.
§ Mrs. BraddockWill the Minister tell us whether any inquiries in the police forces which lose men before they have served their full time reveal a reason as to why those men are leaving? Is any record kept so that we could assess whether there is some special reason throughout the country for men leaving the force before they draw their pensions so that, if there is, it can be considered and rectified?
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeI think there is information on that point, and I will look into what the hon. Lady has said. There are, of course, all sorts of contributory factors. The standard required today is very high and it is gratifying that, with that high standard, the intake is higher than before the war.