§ 52. Mr. Spriggsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the cost of paying for the police forces will be met when further amalgamations take place; and whether he will seek powers to transfer the whole cost to a national police authority.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsI made clear in the exchanges arising from my statement on 18th May that I see no reason 317W to alter the present arrangement for 50 per cent. Exchequer grant. The apportionment of that part of the cost of a combined force which is met from the rates is a matter for discussion by the police authorities concerned
§ 53. Mr. Spriggsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the present police welfare facilities; and whether he will take steps to provide adequate welfare in his proposals for amalgamation.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsPolice welfare facilities are in general of a good standard, but H.M. Inspectors will continue to pay attention to the possibility of improving them in amalgamated forces as in others.
§ 57. Mr. Dodds-Parkerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why, in view of the increase in crime, he will not seek urgently to give to provincial police forces powers of search by night and day of vehicles suspected of carrying stolen and other illicit property, of the same type as power given to the Metropolitan Police.
§ Mr. TaverneAny such change in the law would need to be considered in relation to other aspects of police powers, and general legislation could not be undertaken at present. My right hon. Friend is, however, keeping the matter under review.
§ 58 and 59. Mr. Brian Parkynasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the full complement of police in all the police forces of England and Wales;
(2) what would be the numbers required to bring the police forces of England and Wales up to the required strength.
§ Mr. TaverneThe total authorised establishment on 30th June was 98,408 men and 3,812 women; the deficiency of strength was 17,052 men and 831 women.
§ Mr. Carlisleasked the Prime Minister whether there is a commitment to review the rates of pay of police officers in September, 1966; and whether he proposes to honour it.
318W
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsI have been asked to reply.
I would refer the hon. Member to the statement by my hon. Friend, the First Secretary of State on 26th July, 1966.
§ Mr. Eldon Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the number of constables, sergeants and inspectors serving with each of the police forces of England and Wales at the beginning of the years 1964, 1965 and 1966 respectively.
§ Mr. Roy Jenkins, pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 27th July, 1966; Vol. 732, c. 293], supplied the following table:
STRENGTH OF RANKS AS AT DATES OF INSPECTIONS DURING 1965 MEN Counties Cities and Boroughs Total Chief Inspector 617 298 915 Inspector 1,615 1,204 2,819 Sergeant 5,487 3,712 9,199 Constable 27,506 18,856 46,362
WOMEN Counties Cities and Boroughs Total Chief Inspector 7 8 15 Inspector 32 30 62 Sergeant 102 113 215 Constable 994 953 1,947