HC Deb 19 November 1992 vol 214 cc349-50W
27. Mr. Paice

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to extend the use of special constables.

Mr. Charles Wardle

The deployment of special constables in individual forces is a matter for chief constables. With the help of Her Majesty's inspectors of constabulary, we are encouraging forces to make the widest and most imaginative use of special constables.

28. Mr. Pawsey

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current number of special constables; and what the figure was 12 months ago.

Mr. Charles Wardle

At 31 December 1991, the number of special constables in England and Wales was 18,072. This represents an increase of 14 per cent. on the total for 1990.