HC Deb 26 November 1970 vol 807 c602
42. Mr. William Shelton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a further statement on the progress of the current police recruiting campaign.

The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Mark Carlisle)

At the end of October the provisional figure of the strength of the police service in England and Wales was 93,450, an increase of 1,688 since the end of 1969.

Mr. Shelton

I thank my hon. and learned Friend for that Answer, which will reassure many people. Can he hold out hope that the police forces in the Metropolitan area will be brought up to full strength in a reasonable time?

Mr. Carlisle

I can assure my hon. Friend that the Home Secretary is very anxious to increase the strength of the police force both in the Metropolitan area and in the country as a whole.

Mr. Clinton Davies

What success is being gained in recruiting coloured members to the police force?

Mr. Carlisle

This is rather a different question and I should like notice of it.