§ Mr. Whitakerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the approximate annual number of police man-hours spent on non-witness duties at courts; and how many police officers have been and can be replaced by civilian ushers.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsStatistics are not available on which to base the estimate for which my hon. Friend asks; nor have I the information requested in the second part of his Question. The employment of police officers on some non-witness duties at courts is necessary, but it is my general policy that police officers should not be employed as ushers. Civilians are already employed as ushers at many courts. I am in touch with the authorities concerned with a view to securing the release of the remaining police officers from these duties wherever possible.