§ Mr. Donald Williamsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constables concerned on the figure for net recruitment in the year to date for the West Midlands and West Mercia police forces, and on the numbers by which each force is understrength and the amount of permitted recruitment.
§ Mr. CallaghanIn the 12 months ended 31st October, recruitment in West Midlands was 113 and wastage 115: in West Mercia, 102 in each case. On that date, the two forces were 617 and 328 respectively below establishment and in practice they are free to recruit as many men as they can.