Mr. Bob Brownasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to invest more money in the police service with a view to increasing 38W the number of men on the beat in order to deal more effectively with the increasing rate of vandalism.
§ Mr. SharplesMy right hon. Friend is anxious that there should be a progressive increase in police manpower; our estimates assume this and provide for vigorous recruitment publicity campaigns in consultation with the police authorities. The operational deployment of manpower is a matter for chief officers of police.