§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give the countries of birth of the three police sergeants in the Metropolitan Police Force whose ethnic origin was not British; how long these officers have been in the force, and what action has been or is being taken to increase the total number of 82 police officers from the ethnic minorities and with what results.
§ Dr. SummerskillThe three sergeants were born in the West Indies, India and the United Kingdom; they have 11, seven and five years service respectively. In 1975 and 1976 there was Press advertising to encourage members of ethnic minority groups to consider a police career. Metropolitan Police careers and community liaison officers also attach considerable importance to presenting police career opportunities to suitably qualified members of these groups. Since the end of 1975, 64 coloured officers have joined the Metropolitan Police, and the total number serving has risen from 39 to 82.