§ 13. Mr. Laneasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further steps he is taking to increase the recruitment and retention in service of police officers.
§ Mr. CallaghanThe aim for the current financia' year is to recruit about 7,500 police officers in England and Wales, which on recent experience of retirement rates would result in a net increase of 2,000. After consultation with the local authority association's expenditure on national advertising to encourage recruiting has been doubled and will now amount to £300,000 for the year.
§ Mr. LaneI thank the Home Secretary for that Answer. Is the right hon. Gentle- 1530 man aware that, despite his Answer to me a month ago, the rate of premature resignations in the Cambridge area this year is nearly double the rate in the period 1960–65 and that police pay has fallen far behind the formula laid down by the Willink Commission in 1960? In view of these two facts, will the right hon. Gentleman take a fresh and urgent look at the whole problem?
§ Mr. CallaghanThere is a further Question about the Willink formula later today—[Interruption.] It will be answered, even if it is not reached.
The police will receive a reduction in their working hours from 42 to 40 on 1st April next. There was an increase of 3 per cent. in their pay on 1st September last, and there will be negotiations this year for a further increase in pay. Therefore, these matters are being taken into account.