1. Mr. Edward M. Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he now has to deal with the shortage of policemen in Scotland.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Norman Buchan)Recruitment standards are being reviewed, research is being conducted into the causes of premature wastage, the use of civilians is being extended and additional expenditure has been authorised on cars and radio sets required for the introduction of new systems of policing that will increase efficiency and make better use of manpower.
Mr. TaylorWhile appreciating this action, may I ask whether the hon. Gentleman is aware that the numbers of police employed in Scotland in the two years until 30th September actually fell, despite an increase in authorised establishments and a staggering increase in crime? In view of the fact that law and order is the Government's first responsibility, when can we expect some action and results?
§ Mr. BuchanThe hon. Gentleman should be aware that, for the first time since 1964, we have got over the 10,000 mark in the police forces. To a big extent, the discrepancy arises as a result of increasing establishments in order to emphasise the urgency of the problem. There has been an increase in the police forces over the last nine months.
§ Mr. MacArthurIs the hon. Gentleman aware that for every 37 criminals caught, 63 go undetected, and that the best deterrent to crime is to catch the criminal? Will he, therefore, take urgent action to bring the police forces up to establishment?
§ Mr. BuchanWe are taking every action to bring them up to establishment, and, as I have said, we are increasing the establishments. As for the best deterrent being the detection of crime, it is precisely because of that that we are pleased to say that there has been an increase in the detection rate this year.