§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much the Metropolitan Police Force is below strength; and how recruitment compares with that of the Essex County Constabulary.
§ Mr. BrookeThe total strength of the Metropolitan Police on 30th April was 18,399. The authorised establishment was 20,779. Thus there was a deficiency of 2,380, or 11.4 per cent. of the authorised establishment, as compared with a deficiency of 8.5 per cent in Essex. In the first four months of the year there were 428 recruits, compared with 60 recruits to the Essex Constabulary.