HC Deb 10 November 1970 vol 806 cc141-5W
Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable as to how many voluntary resignations there were of men and women from the Manchester and Salford Police in each of the three years 1967 to 1969, with separate figures for the resignations of those with five to 25 years' service;

(2) if he will call for a report from the chief constable as to how many of the voluntary resignations from the Manchester and Salford Police in each of the three years 1967 to 1969 were due to the inadequacy of pay levels.

Mr. Sharples

The available information is as follows:

Year Voluntary resignations Officers with 5 to 25 years service Others Total Inadequate pay given as reason for voluntary resignations
1967 32 51 83 34
1968 44 80 124 55
1969 60 94 154 70

Mr. Aldred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable as to how many men and women were recruited to the Manchester and Salford Police in each of the three years 1967 to 1969;

(2) if he will call for a report from the chief constable as to what were the total figures of wastage for each of the years 1967 to 1969 in the case of the Manchester and Salford Police.

Mr. Charles R. Morris

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Chief Constable on both recruitment to the Manchester and Salford Police and wastage during the years 1967 to 1969, inclusive.

Mr. Sharples

The information is as follows:

Recruitment
Men Women Total
1967 201 30 231
1968 100 20 120
1969 131 12 143
Wastage (including retirement at pensionable age)
Men Women Total
1967 127 16 143
1968 145 23 168
1969 173 25 198

Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable as to what percentage of the men and women who made inquiries with a view to joining the Manchester and Salford Police during 1969 were suitable for appointments.

Mr. Sharples

23 per cent.

Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable as to what is the average cost of initial training for a recruit joining the Manchester and Salford Police.

Mr. Sharples

The average cost of the initial training of a police recruit at one of the Home Office training centres is about £258.

Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable as to what is the average weekly take-home pay for a policeman in the Manchester and Salford Police with one, two and three years' service, respectively.

Mr. Sharples

Following is the information:

Married £ s. d.
1 year's service 20 8 11
2 years' service 20 14 4
3 years' service 22 17 5
Single:
1 year's service 17 17 11
2 years' service 17 11 6
3 years' service 18 7 5

Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable as to what was the authorised establishment and the actual strength of the Manchester and Salford Police on 31st December, 1969, and as to what is his estimate of the likely strength of the force on 31st December, 1970.

Mr. Sharples

Against an authorised establishment of 2,433, strength on 31st December, 1969, was 2,098. The chief Constable estimates that the strength on 31st December, 1970, will be about 2,086.

Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable as to why the permitted strength of the Manchester and Salford Police was reduced; and if he is satisfied that the force can consistently maintain its permitted strength in the years ahead.

Mr. Charles R. Morris

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable indicating the permitted strength of the Manchester and Salford Police; and how and why this has varied since 1st January, 1969.

Mr. Sharples

Permitted strengths for the financial years 1968–69 and 1969–70 were calculated for individual forces on the basis of deficiencies against authorised establishments. The permitted strength of the Manchester and Salford force on 31st March, 1969, was 2,222 and on 31st March, 1970, 2,190. Actual strengths at these dates were 2,159 and 2,091, respectively.

The concept of permitted strength is no longer in use, and police authorities are aware of this. I hope that the measures now being taken to increase police strength will be effective in Manchester and Salford and throughout the country.

Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable as to how many cases of indictable crime were cleared up by the Manchester and Salford Police in 1959 and in 1969, and as to what was the percentage increase.

Mr. Sharples

The number of indictable offences cleared up by the Manchester and Salford Police in 1969 was 24,995, a clear-up rate of 47.1 per cent. Taking into account the effect on the statistics of the Theft Act, 1968, the corresponding figures for 1959 were 9,475 and 35.1 per cent.

Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable as to what was the manpower strength of the Manchester and Salford Police in 1959 and in 1969, and as to what was the percentage increase.

Mr. Sharples

The Manchester and Salford forces were amalgamated on 1st April, 1968. The total strength of the two forces on 31st December, 1959, was 1,779. The strength of the amalgamated force on 31st December, 1969 was 2,098, an increase of 18 per cent.

Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable as to how many policemen are ordinarily on duty each night in the Wythenshawe area of Manchester, and as to how this number has changed as compared with five and 10 years ago.

Mr. Charles R. Morris

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable indicating how many policemen are ordinarily on duty each night in the Bradford, Newton Heath and Openshaw wards of the city of Manchester.

Mr. Sharples

No.

Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the representations made to the Police Council of the United Kingdom on behalf of local public representatives that, unless pay levels are quickly adjusted, the already serious manpower situation in the Manchester and Salford Police will deteriorate as many more policemen in their middle years of service leave the police service; and what action he is taking.

Mr. Sharples

My right hon. Friend is satisfied that the Police Council is fully informed about the manpower situation throughout the police service and is well aware of the need to take account of the problems of recruitment and wastage in considering levels of pay.

Mr. Charles R. Morris

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Chief Constable on whether the Manchester and Salford Police are now operating at their authorised establishment; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Sharples

Against an authorised establishment of 2,433, strength at 30th September, 1970, was 2,088.

Mr. Charles R. Morris

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received concerning existing pay levels in the Manchester and Salford Police; what replies he has sent; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Sharples

My right hon. Friend has received many representations in connection with the current negotiations on police pay, outcome of which will affect all police forces equally. He cannot comment while negotiations are in progress.

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