§ 23. Mr. St. John-Stevasasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a further statement on his plans to improve the position of the police service.
§ Mr. CallaghanStrengthening of police performance is a continuing process and I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis) on 16th April.—[Vol. 799, c. 265.]
§ Mr. St. John-StevasDoes the Home Secretary recall that the Police Federation has declared that the morale in the police force is lower today than it has been for many years? What does he intend to do about it? Does he agree with the statement by the federation that the right hon. Gentleman has been metamorphosed by his office from a pioneering trail-blazer into a bland and cooing Whitehall dove?
§ Mr. CallaghanI am flattered by any public reference whether favourable or unfavourable. I thought it would be as well to look at what was happening in the hon. Gentleman's area because I should like to help him to correct any misapprehension. I am glad to say that the number of crimes known to the police in 1969 was rather fewer than in 1964; that the crimes detected by the police were much greater in 1969 than in 1964; that the number of motor vehicles has pretty well trebled; that the amount of scientific and wireless equipment in terms of expenditure is about eight times as much; and that the number of personal radios has increased from three to 425. Therefore, I should like to return to my original statement that the strengthening of police performance is a continuing process.
§ Mr. RoseWould my right hon. Friend accept that on this side of the House there would be strong support for a highly paid and well-qualified police force? Would he accept my congratulations on the improved rate of recruitment to the police force and the improved methods of detection, and would he assure the police force that the interim payment which they have received is only 1439 a foretaste of something even better to come?
§ Mr. CallaghanThe whole question of recruitment to the police is a joint responsibility. It is shared jointly between police authorities, which have substantial responsibility and therefore should take credit, and the Home Office which always gets the discredit in these matters. That is how it should be. On the matter of pay, I have never wavered in my view that the appropriate standard for the police service should be that laid down by the Willink Commission. But I dare say there will be argument in detail as to what Willink means translated into 1970 terms. That is where the hon. Member for Bury St. Edmunds (Mr. Eldon Griffiths) will come into his own.