HC Deb 25 May 1972 vol 837 cc1615-7
24. Mr. Fowler

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the net gain or loss in the strength of police forces in England and Wales, including the Metropolitan Police, in the first four months of this year; how this figure compares with the comparable period in the years 1969, 1970 and 1971; and whether he will make a statement on the police recruiting campaign.

Mr. Maudling

There was a net gain of 1,356. This compares with 562 in 1969, 784 in 1970 and 854 in 1971. During the coming financial year national recruiting publicity will be maintained at its current level, and police authorities will have my full encouragement to go in for local publicity.

Mr. Fowler

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. Is not this a very encouraging trend? Does it not show that complete wisdom of the Government's reversing the policy of the Labour Government of restricting police recruitment? Will my right hon. Friend confirm that for the first time in police history a significant number of graduates are entering the police service?

Mr. Maudling

I would like to see still more graduates entering the police service. The general figures show clearly that the Government have carried out their undertaking to strengthen the forces of law and order.

Mr. R. C. Mitchell

Can the Home Secretary say how many police forces are still below establishment and what is the total shortage at the moment?

Mr. Maudling

I should say that most of them are below establishment because establishment often is the ideal at which one is aiming. But the police forces generally are increasing in numbers more rapidly than they were a few years ago and I hope to improve on this in the future.

Mr. Deedes

How far are these very good figures offset by the fact that after no recruiting during the war there were heavy intakes in 1946–47 which are now coming up for completion of 25 years' service and for retirement in larger numbers than usual?

Mr. Maudling

These are net figures. The particular problem to which my right hon. Friend refers was very much in our minds when reaching agreement in the Police Council on pay a short while ago. The new pay scales have been pretty effective in dealing with the serious problem of potential wastage.

Mr. Molloy

If recruitment for the police is improving, particularly in the Metropolitan area, would the Home Secretary be prepared to consider re-establishing those very admirable police teams that formerly toured schools teaching children road safety?

Mr. Maudling

That is a slightly different point which I note well. But in the Metropolitan area the increase has not been as satisfactory as in other parts of the country and this is a matter which is giving me some concern.