§ Mr. John H. Osbornasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of South Yorkshire about the reductions in police cover to meet the demands of the police authority in South Yorkshire to reduce expenditure.
§ Mr. BrittanWe have been informed that regular overtime will be reduced in 1980–81 and regular rest-day working will cease in September 1980. Most of the financial saving will be balanced by provision for an increase of 120 in the force establishment for which the police authority is seeking approval. The chief constable assures us that, provided approval is given to the increase, he will have greater flexibility in the use of manpower, which will enable him to maintain adequate ground cover.