§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy on the total numbers of police officers required; and if he will make a statement. [19270]
§ Mr. Michael[holding answer 8 December 1997]Ministers have no direct control over police numbers. Under legislation passed by the previous Government in 1994, it is for individual chief constables to determine the506W number of police officers in their force. We are already working with the police to reduce administrative burdens and to enable chief constables to put more officers on the streets.
My right hon. Friend announced on 2 December that the spending power of the police in England and Wales next year can increase by £258 million, or 3.7 per cent. over 1997–98. The provisional settlement includes an additional £40 million of police grant in 1998–99. This sum is to ensure that police authorities have funds available which would allow them to increase spending on meeting the key objectives for the police in 1998–99. This could include the recruitment of additional police officers if the chief constable considers that this is the most beneficial way of delivering the objectives.