HC Deb 08 April 1976 vol 909 cc627-9
13. Mr Biggs-Davison

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement about recruitment to the Metropolitan Police and Special Constabulary.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

In February there was a gain of 84 regular police officers, bringing the strength at the end of the month to 21,353. At present the recruit-training school is working to full capacity, and we are helping the Metropolitan Police to obtain additional training accommodation, probably in the provinces. The Metropolitan Special Constabulary strength at the end of February was just under 2,100.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that just outside the Greater London area referred to in the earlier Question, in the Epping Forest District, which is also in the Metropolitan Police district, there has been an alarming crime wave, which has caused tremendous concern to my constituents? Can the right hon. Gentleman say to what extent the improvement in recruiting has brought the strength of the force and the Special Constabulary up to the target figure?

Mr. Jenkins

I cannot give figures for particular districts. If the hon. Member will table a Question I shall answer it with pleasure. I have no doubt, however, that the district with which he is concerned, which is within the Metropolitan Police district, is fully considered by the Commissioner as part of his responsibilities. To the extent that there is an improvement—not yet substantial enough, I agree—in the numbers available to the Metropolitan Police, the district with which he is concerned will benefit to a small but proportionate extent.

Mr. Pavitt

Will the right hon. Gentleman express to the Metropolitan Police our welcome for the campaign of recruitment among people with different pigmentation of skin? In my constituency we have many applicants who were born, bred and educated there, but whose origins lie in immigrant families, and we welcome them to the police force.

Mr. Jenkins

I am sure that my hon. Friend is right. On and off for the last 10 years, I have been greatly concerned with this aspect of recruitment. The first coloured recruits to the Metropolitan Police arrived during my first term as Home Secretary. I am sure that there are still not enough of them. One reason for that is that, in spite of what my hon. Friend says, there are not enough applicants.

Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson

A national newspaper this week said that the Metropolitan Police was now 400 men fewer in strength than it was in 1921, when crime was 5 per cent. of what it is today. On what basis is the establishment of the force estimated, and what does the Home Secretary think would be a realistic figure for 1976?

Mr. Jenkins

It requires no national newspaper to say that this week, because it has been said in the House during supplementary questions at least 13 times, in my recollection, over the last year or so. It is a regrettable fact. I do not think that the real question for answer is the size of the establishment of the Metropolitan Police. The force is still 5,000 below establishment. My aim is to close that gap, and when we get near to the establishment figure I shall consider, as I have considered in the case of other forces that are near to establishment, whether that establishment is right.

Mr. Flannery

Does my right hon. Friend agree that a more determined campaign is needed to attract coloured people to the police force? If that could be achieved, it would give them far more confidence in justice in this country.

Mr. Jenkins

That would be highly desirable, but I do not believe that the blame rests with the police. In the Metropolitan area there have certainly been the most determined efforts to recruit—and I mention the Metropolitan area only because it is the biggest force and the one directly responsible to me. I would not be telling the truth if I did not say that the number of applicants at present is somewhat disappointing.