§ Mr. R. Gibsonasked the Home Secretary how many local authorities in England and Wales employ women police and how many do not; how many male police are employed by these authorities and how many female police; and whether he has any statement to make regarding the further provision of women police?
§ Mr. LloydOf 179 county and borough police forces in England and Wales 46 have police women: the authorised establishment of the 46 forces concerned is 18,598 and the number of women police employed is 116. In addition the Metropolitan Police Force has 108 police women. The question whether police women should be employed in any force has always been a matter for the decision of the individual police authority in the light of local conditions and requirements, and my right hen. Friend does not contemplate any modification of that principle.