HC Deb 21 July 1981 vol 9 cc68-9W
Dr. Summerskill

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what figure the West Yorkshire police last requested its establishment to be increased; and why this request was not agreed to.

Mr. Whitelaw

In October 1980 the West Yorkshire police authority proposed increases in the force establishment by 921 to 6,025 to be spread over a number of years. It is not my practice to approve increases far in advance of their implementation. I offered to approve an increase of 50 to be recruited by April 1982 and this was accepted.