§ Mr. Snowasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Chief Constable on whether recruitment of police, specifically for motorised or motor-cycle road patrol duties, is adequate in the county of Stafford; and whether this force has all the motor vehicles and motor-cycles necessary for the proper enforcement of loading and driving conduct law in the county.
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§ Sir F. SoskicePolice are recruited for the full range of police duties and not specifically for road patrol duties. The male strength of the Staffordshire county police was 1,397 on 30th September, 1964, and 1,501 on 30th September, 1965. The authorised establishment of male officers is 1,576 and I am advised by Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary that this falls short of what is required for the adequate policing of the area. I recently asked the police authority to review the establishment in relation to the needs of the area and to submit a revised figure for my approval, and I understand that this request is being considered. A proportion of any increase in the establishment would, I am sure, be allocated to the traffic branch and the necessary additional vehicles would be provided.