§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, since during the past few years when the intake of police in the Metropolitan area is the largest ever, there have been fewer special constables enrolled than ever before, he will examine the reasons for this; what is their total complement against their stated establishment strength; what pay or allowances these special constables receive; how these compare with the full-time constables; and what action he has taken, or intends taking, to increase the numbers of special constables nationally and in the Metropolitan Police area in particular.
§ Mr. MayhewNo, this has already been done by a Working Party of the Police Advisory Board which reported in July 1981; the strength of the Metropolitan Special Constabulary at 31 December 1981 was 1,610; there is no fixed establishment; special constables are unpaid but receive a boot allowance and are reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses; my right hon. Friend will continue to encourage chief officers to recruit as many specials as they can usefully train and deploy.