HC Deb 27 July 1966 vol 732 cc292-3W
Sir Clive Bossom

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether plans are being made to increase the numbers of traffic police when arranging for amalgamation of various police forces.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

Determination of the establishment of a police force is the statutory responsibility of the police authority, subject to the approval of the Secretary of State. The deployment of the force is a matter for the chief officer. Efficient traffic policing is one object of my policy on amalgamations, and the advice of Her Majesty's Inspectors of Constabulary will be readily available to the chief officers of combined forces.

Sir B. Janner

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the present number and cost of police patrols on the roads; and what have been the comparable figures for each of the past 10 years.

Mr. Taverne

In 1965 there were approximately 3,070 police cars or vans and 5,000 motor cycles engaged on all types of patrol. The comparable figures for 1964 were 3,050 and 4,750 respectively. Figures for the years before 1964 are not available. The cost of police patrols cannot be accurately assessed separately from police expenditure as a whole, but may be estimated as at least £20 million for 1966–67.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the number of constables, sergeants and inspectors serving with each of the police forces of England and Wales at the beginning of the years 1964, 1965 and 1966, respectively.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

Detailed and up-to-date particulars of strengths by ranks are obtained only at the time of force inspections, and as these are spread over the year it is difficult to produce figures that are correct for the whole country at any given date. A table of total strengths by ranks, extracted from information provided for the purpose of force inspections during 1965, will be circulated. I regret that corresponding information in respect of the other years and of individual forces is not immediately available.