§ 10. Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress is being made in strengthening the police force, both in terms of numerical strength and material support.
§ Mr. WhitelawThe total strength of the police service in England and Wales has increased by 8,480 since May 1979, and stood at 119,973 at the end of March this year. I expect the total strength to increase to 121,000 by March 1983. I know that police authorities and chief officers of police appreciate the importance of ensuring that appropriate levels of material and other support services are maintained.
§ Mr. LathamI welcome that excellent progress. Will my right hon. Friend confirm that the police force, which has been greatly strengthened under this Administration, will always have his full support in enforcing the law impartially on all citizens, despite political pressure to the contrary?
§ Mr. WhitelawMost certainly, yes. I went to the Police Federation conference yesterday and gave positive assurances on behalf of the Government and, I hope, of the House as a whole.
§ Mr. CrawshawWill the Home Secretary comment on reports affecting the Merseyside police which would seem to indicate that, owing to a shortage of funds, it may be necessary to remove many administrative staff, whose places will have to be filled by taking police of the beat? If so, is that not contrary to the right hon. Gentleman's assurance to the House, after the Scarman report, that we would have more police on the beat, particularly in areas such as Toxteth?
§ Mr. WhitelawThere will be more police on the beat. I gave that assurance and I mean it. I hear many rumours from Merseyside, but, fortunately, I find that I am right in not believing all that I hear.
§ Mr. Kilroy-SilkWhat does that mean? It is a slur on Merseyside.
§ Mr. SnapeI admire the way that the Home Secretary can rally support in his party despite the collapse of law and order in the country under this Government. [Interruption.] Look at the figures. Does the Home Secretary appreciate that there is widespread concern about the deployment of the police, particularly in inner city areas, and their material support? Does he agree that such matters are the rightful concern of police committees in places such as Manchester and Liverpool? Will he advise chief constables that they have responsibilities to discuss deployment and material support with elected local representatives?
§ Mr. WhitelawI am amazed at the hon. Gentleman. He supported a Government who did so much to undermine the strength of, and support for, the police service—[Interruption.] The hon. Gentleman has had his say. I could shout louder than him, if need be, but I shall not. [Interruption.] The hon. Gentleman is not doing badly from a seated position.
The Labour Party now wants a policy to deal with crime, based on more bobbies on the beat. The Labour Government failed to provide the bobbies, but Labour Members now recognise that we have done so. I am glad to have their support for the policy that we have pursued.
§ Mrs. KnightWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind the importance of keeping up the morale of the police force? Will he also note the constant attacks made by the Opposition on the police force and on my right hon. Friend, who has always strongly backed the police force?
§ Mr. WhitelawYes. I went to the Police Federation conference yesterday, where I was assured by those who were there that the morale of the police service is extremely is high. I was glad to find that.
§ Mr. Alexander W. LyonWill the Home Secretary examine the experience of the chief constable of Lancashire? He was able to put more police on the beat in places such as Skelmersdale by running down the over-inflated traffic department, without any visible effect on the number of traffic accidents. Is that not a more legitimate and sensible way of dealing with our force?
§ Mr. WhitelawAll chief constables are carefully considering the effective use of manpower. They recognise that it is extremely important.
This gives me an opportunity to reply to something said by the hon. Member for West Bromwich, East (Mr. Snape), who stopped me from replying by talking too much. I agree that chief officers of police and police authorities can and should recognise their duties under the Police Act 1964.