§ 5. Mr. Eggarasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he remains satisfied with the relationship between the Metropolitan police and the ethnic minorities.
§ Mr. WhitelawThe Commissioner is sensitive to the need for good relationships with the ethnic minorities and I believe that the Metropolitan police enjoy the confidence of the great majority of the members of minority ethnic groups.
§ 14. Mr. Jesselasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on Metropolitan police recruitment.
§ Mr. WhitelawOn 31 March 1983 the strength of the Metropolitan police was 26,499. This is an increase of 4,274—19.2 per cent.—on the strength of 22,225 when this Government took office.
§ Mr. Greenwayasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what resources in terms of money and manpower are expended by the Metropolitan police on public relations; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MayhewThe promotion of good public relations is a responsibility shared by all members of the Metropolitan police and takes many forms. More specifically, the public information department at new Scotland Yard, which consists of two senior police officers and 67 civil staff, operates a 24-hour press bureau service, provides liaison centrally and Locally to deal with press and broadcast requirement for features and news, and responds 119W to inquiries from the public. The Department includes a team of seven persons dedicated to public relations work which includes publicity at exhibitions and displays and the development of a wide range of publicity literature.
Expenditure on general publicity matters for the financial year 1982–83 was £538,000—exclusive of staff costs.