HC Deb 06 April 1978 vol 947 cc161-2W
21. Mr. Jessel

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the number or approximate number of resignations from the police in the first quarter of 1978.

24. Mr. Michael Marshall

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the serious decline in recruitment to the police force; and what action he proposes to take to remedy the situation.

Dr. Summerskill

We do not yet have any figures for March, but there were 884 resignations from the police service in England and Wales during January and February. However, recruitment has been reasonably satisfactory and there was a net gain in strength of 150 over the two months, bringing the total to 108,351.

25. Mr. Silvester

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of recruits into the police force in the past year have been women.

Dr. Summerskill

For police forces in England and Wales, 27 per cent. in 1977.

31. Mr. Farr

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will announce what new steps he is taking to stimulate police recruitment in view of the latest manpower figures.

Dr. Summerskill

Budget provision for national publicity in 1978–79, subject to parliamentary approval, has been increased to £793,000, which is £200,000 more than in 1977–78. This will finance a campaign in support of local recruitment, by means of Press advertising, films and booklets for use in school visits, and special projects.

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