§ Mr. ButlerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he proposes to take any measures to reduce wastage of manpower from the Metropolitan police force.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe fully support the Commissioner's efforts to reduce wastage and to improve166W recruitment. Currently, about half the retirements from the Metropolitan police are voluntary resignations or transfers to other forces.
The reasons for leaving the force are monitored, but most, such as domestic ties and the quality of life, are outside the control of the Commissioner. None the less, counselling and advice is given by divisional managers to officers seeking to leave the force early to see if their difficulties may be overcome and their decisions reversed. We hope, too, that the pay review which will be undertaken soon by the Police Negotiating Board will consider whether the remuneration package for officers in London needs revision to meet the problem of wastage.
A special effort to recruit Londoners, who may be less likely to move away, is part of the current programme of recruitment, which is running at an all-time high., as is the strength of the force.