HL Deb 17 December 1985 vol 469 cc655-6

2.44 p.m.

Lord Henley

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to achieve a marked increase in the number of special constables.

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, responsibility for recruiting special constables rests with the chief officer of each police force. We encourage chief officers to recruit as many as they can usefully train and deploy.

Lord Henley

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that Answer and fully accept that this is a matter for chief constables. But does he agree that there has been a very marked decline in the number of special constables from about 45,000 in 1964 to about 16,000 now? Does he also agree that they are a highly cost-effective force in that they are not paid at all, and that more could be done to encourage their recruitment?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, it is certainly encouraging that the number of specials has increased in each of the last three years after the 30 years of steady decline to which my noble friend refers. Also we must bear in mind that the significant proportion of wastage in recent years is due to the introduction in nearly all forces of a retirement age of 55 and the removal of inactive members. I certainly agree that they are cost-effective and we are doing what we can to encourage chief officers—this is carried out through Her Majesty's Inspectors of Constabulary during their annual visits to forces—to increase recruitment where they possibly can.

Lord Mishcon

My Lords, does the noble Lord the Minister feel that in many ways it might be helpful if chief constables were encouraged to apply to minority ethnic leaders in their districts, to see whether or not a greater number of special constables could come from ethnic minorities?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, it is certainly true, in general, that the special constabulary is more successful than the regular forces in attracting recruits from the ethnic minority communities. As I think the noble Lord will expect, this is helpful in establishing a link between these communities and the police which can aid each of them in understanding the other.