§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress of the civilianisation programme undertaken by Strathclyde police over the past few years; and how it has been supported by the Scottish Office. [19033]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe following table shows the numbers of civilians added to the authorised establishment of Strathclyde police each year since 1992 and the numbers of police officers released in consequence for operational duty.
213W
Number of additional civilians Number of officers released 1992 79 68 1993 94 83
Number of additional civilians Number of officers released 1994 84 46 1995 (to 31 March) 98 85 Total 355 282 The Scottish Office pays police grant the usual way at 51 per cent. of expenditure by Strathclyde regional council on the additional staff.
§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of the overtime budget of Strathclyde police has been spent in the two months since 1 February on(a) witness duties in court where police evidence was taken, (b) witness duties in court where police evidence was not heard for any reason, (c) the protests against the construction of the M77 link road and (d) drugs-related crime and violence within K division; and if he will make a statement. [19031]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe information for the eight-week period between 23 January and 19 March 1995 supplied by Strathclyde police is set out in the following table.
Percentage of period overtime Percentage of annual overtime Overtime in the period from 23 January 1995 to 19 March 1995 incurred in relation to: (a)—(b) Court attendance 48.9 4.1 (Records do not differentiate between officers who give evidence and those who do not) (c) M77 link road protests 7.1 0.6 (d) Drugs-related crime and violence in K Division 0.8 0.07
§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what requests for additional police officers the chief constable of Strathclyde police has made to(a) him and (b) Strathclyde regional council within the past 12 months; what consultations he has carried out with Strathclyde regional council on the funding of additional police officers within its area during that period; what action he has taken to assist or facilitate funding for such requests from the chief constable; and if he will make a statement. [19032]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonSince the strength of Strathclyde police has been below authorised establishment during the past 12 months, there has been no need for Strathclyde regional council to seek the consent of the Secretary of State to recruit additional officers. Between 31 March 1994 and 31 March 1995 the strength of the force increased by 154, but 20 additional officers could still be recruited before the consent of the Secretary of State would be required.