§ Mr. Stubbsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he intends to take to bring the police forces up to their prewar establishment; and if he is aware of the experience of local authorities in the few applications received to fill the many vacancies owing to the low rate of wages and bad conditions of service offered.
§ Mr. EdeThe recruitment programme to bring police forces in England and Wales up to strength is, for a number of reasons, being spread over two years. A quota of places is allocated to each force by the Home Office every quarter and with the exception of some individual forces, particularly the Metropolitan Police Force, recruits have so far been taken in up to the limit of these quotas I cannot therefore accept in full the implications of the last part of the Question, but, as indicated in recent replies in this House, I have at present under consideration, in consultation with the Police Council, suggestions for the improvement of police pay and other important conditions of service and hope very shortly to be able to make an announcement on these matters.