§ 14. Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to reach a decision on the applications he has received from Nottinghamshire police authority regarding the strengthening of the county constabulary.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggMy right hon. Friend expects to reach a decision before the end of the month.
§ Mr. AllenIs the Minister aware that earlier his hon. Friend the Minister of State made certain allegations about the decline of the police service under the previous Labour Government? Will he support Nottinghamshire county council, which is a Labour-controlled county council, in its plea for more police officers so that we can reduce the 35 per cent, increase in crime in Nottingham that has taken place under the law and order Government since 1979?
§ Mr. HoggOn the first part of the hon. Gentleman's question, he will be glad to know that since 1979 the total manpower available to the police service has increased by 19,000. On the second part of his question, he will also be glad to know that since 1979 the constabulary to which he has referred has had an increase of 114 in terms of new establishment.