§ Mr. Awberyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police forces in the country are now below normal strength; what is the minimum height prescribed; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerMost police forces in England and Wales have vacancies. 181W but good progress is being made with recruitment, and out of 125 forces only eleven, including the Metropolitan Police Force, are more than 10 per cent. below their present authorised establishments. The Police Regulations provide that a candidate for appointment as a constable must, save for special reasons approved by the Secretary of State, be at least 5 feet 8 inches tall in the case of a man and 5 feet 4 inches tall in the case of a woman. In many forces, a higher minimum is prescribed by the appointing authority.