§ 30. Mr. Dubsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the present strength of the Metropolitan Police; how many vacancies there are; and what divisions are below strength.
§ Mr. WhitelawThe strength of the Metropolitan Police was 25,283 on 31 January 1982, 1,332 short of the establishment. All districts are below establishment but within each district, the allocation of officers to divisions is the responsibility of the district commander and the information is not recorded centrally.
§ 44. Mr. Wellbelovedasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he intends to recommend the establishment of a police liaison consultative committee in the Metropolitan Police area; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WhitelawLord Scarman's recommendation on local liaison machinery was that in the Metropolitan Police District it should be centred on the borough or police district; I have set in hand a programme of consultations with the local authorities concerned. I shall need to take account of the outcome of these consultations in considering Lord Scarman's separate suggestion for a consultative arrangement at force level.