§ 48. Mr. John Fraserasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent the present establishment of the Metropolitan Police force is full; and how many vacancies there are in the recruitment target for police cadets.
Mr. TavemeThe strength of the Metropolitan Police Force is about a quarter below the establishment of 25,000.
The establishment of police cadets is 1,300 and the current strength approximately 740, but the full strength cannot be reached until additional accommodation becomes available in 1967. In the meantime, the intake cannot be more than about 150 in each term, or an annual total of about 450. During 1965, 416 cadets were recruited.