§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions since 1979 he has imposed a freeze on police recruitment; and what was the duration in each case. [5423]
§ Mr. MacleanRecruitment of police officers is a local matter for each police authority and the chief officer of police. Police force establishment levels, set by my right hon. and learned Friend, were not increased in the financial years 1993–94 and 1994–95. From 1 April 1995, my right hon. and learned Friend has not set establishment levels, and it is now for each police authority to set the strength of its force.