§ 132. Major Bruceasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will state the authorised strength of the police force in England and Wales at 30th September, 1947, or the nearest convenient date; and actual strength on the same date, and whether 119W he will further state the number of men recruited into the police force since 1st January, 1946, and the number who have resigned since that date, distinguishing those who at the time of their resignation had less than 15 years' service from those who had more than 15 years' service.
§ Mr. EdeOn 30th September, 1947, the aggregate authorised male establishment of the police forces in England and Wales was 66,935 and the actual regular strength 54,324, while the female establishment and strength were respectively 1,283 and 835. Since 1st January, 1946, about 14,000 men have been recruited and about 11,400 men have resigned, of whom approximately 25 per cent. had less than 15 years' service.