§ Mr. Corrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the effect on the wastage rate in the next five years by retirement in the Scottish police force as a whole and area by area.
§ Mr. William RossEstimates of this kind vary according to the assumptions made about promotion and retirement patterns. On the most reasonable assumptions I expect that about 100 police officers will retire this year and next on completion of pensionable service; that this figure will rise to almost 400 in 1976; and that it will fall to around 340 in 1977 and 280 in 1978. No estimates have been made on an area-by-area basis.
§ Mr. Corrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the present rate of recruitment into the Scottish police force, showing present strength and shortfall in each area.
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§ Mr. William RossDuring the three months to 30th June 1974, the number of recruits to Scottish police forces was 218. The present actual strength and shortfall in each police area as at 30th June 1974, is shown in the table below:
Force Actual Strength Shortfall Aberdeen 408 39 Angus 191 12 Argyll 140 16 Ayr 722 —* Berwick, Roxburgh and Selkirk 170 12 Dumfires and Galloway 250 23 Dunbarton 395 69 Dundee 419 36 Edinburgh 1,271 10 Fife 635 8 Glasgow 2,831 509 Inverness 204 5 Lanark 1,184 65 Lothians and Peebles 565 68 Northern 117 11 Perth and Kinross 291 — Renfrew and Bute 740 110 Ross and Sutherland 168 10 Scottish North-Eastern Counties 385 —* Stirling and Clackmannan 457 10 11,543 1,013 * These forces are marginally over authorised establishment for various temporary reasons; for purposes of this table they have been regarded as up to complement.
§ Mr. Corrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many recruits came into the Scottish police force as a result of the £37,000 recruiting campaign.
§ Mr. William RossIt is not possible to isolate the effect of the campaign to which the hon. Member refers from the effects of local recruiting campaigns.
§ Mr. Corrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when there is next to be a comprehensive pay review for the Scottish police forces at all ranks; and when the Scottish police will get a substantial pay rise.
§ Mr. William RossAgreement was reached on 11th July in the Police Council for the United Kingdom on a new pay agreement for police officers up to the rank of chief inspector. The agreement, which will run from 1st September this year, provides for substantial increases of up to 23 per cent. for senior constables. It also provides that there should be a review by the council of the structure of 115W police pay, although implementation of any outcome of this examination will have regard to whatever arrangements are then in being for determining pay. Negotiations are still proceeding on new pay agreements for officers above chief inspector rank.