§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement giving the reasons why he has decided to reduce the number of traffic wardens in London; and what costs are likely to be saved by this action.
§ Dr. Summerskill:Under the rate support grant settlement for 1975–76 provision was made for full recruitment of police officers up to authorised establishments but for only a small increase in police civilian staff, including traffic wardens, above the strength at 30th September 1974. As the police authority for the Metropolitan Police my right hon. Friend has told the Commissioner that he should observe the terms of the settlement, and this will mean that the present strength of the Metropolitan Police civilian staff as a whole will have to be very slightly reduced.