§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give, for the latest and most convenient stated date, the total number of coloured Commonwealth citizens who are serving with the Metropolitan Police, and the rank and positions held; and how many police surgeons and deputy surgeons have been appointed since May, 1971, who are coloured Commonwealth citizens.
Mr. SharpiesThe numbers of coloured Commonwealth citizens serving in the Metropolitan police are 11 constables, one police cadet and 21 special constables; there is also one sergeant in the Special Constabulary. The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis does not keep a special record of the number of coloured people in civilian appointments but estimates that they number at least a thousand, mostly from the Commonwealth. No coloured Commonwealth citizens have been appointed police surgeons or deputies since May, 1971.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will state the costs involved in advertising by the Metropolitan Police for applicants for situations as police surgeons and deputy surgeons; how many situations were vacant, and how many applications were received; how many of those who applied had previous 235W experience as police surgeons and deputy surgeons; how many of the applicants were appointed; whether there is now a full complement of police surgeons; how many have been appointed since this advertising campaign; and how many coloured Commonwealth citizens were appointed.
Mr. Sharpies£250; 11 appointments as police surgeon and 21 as deputy police surgeon were advertised and 39 applications were received; 26 of the applicants had previous experience; offers are being made in respect of 28 appointments; when these appointments have been made the cover provided will be regarded as adequate; the arrangements for appointment have not been completed; two coloured Commonwealth citizens hold appointments at present.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain why, in view of the shortage of police surgeons and deputy police surgeons in the Metropolitan Police area and the difficulty in obtaining such officers, applicants for the situations vacant who had previous experience and had satisfactorily carried out the duties were refused appointments, but only officialy informed of such refusals after the hon. Member for West Ham, North, had raised the issue in Parliament; and whether he will make a statement.
Mr. SharpiesI do not accept the hon. Member's assertions. The matter in which he is interested has already been thoroughly investigated.