§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many full-time and part-time members of the police, and at what rank, worked in the art theft squad of the Metropolitan police at any convenient date in 1976, 1986, 1991 and 1996; and if he will make a statement. [23152]
§ Mr. MacleanI understand that precise records are not available for 1976 but that the unit then employed a total of some 13 staff. The unit was not operating as such in 1986. In 1991 there were three staff, one of whom was a civilian. The present staffing is one detective sergeant, two detective constables and two civilian staff. I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the name and remit of the art and antiques unit, originally the philatelic squad, has changed several times since its inception in 1968.