§ Mrs. Monksasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the shortage of regular police, if he will call a conference of chief constables to discuss the best use that could be made of special constables.
§ Mr. CarlisleAlthough some forces are still seriously under strength, the number of police officers in England and Wales has continued to increase this year and recently passed 100,000 for the first time.
337WIt is for each chief officer of police to decide in the light of the particular circumstances of his police area how best to use available police strength, including the voluntary services of the Special Constabulary, whose value to the community I fully acknowledge. General matters relating to the Special Constabulary are dealt with through the normal consultative arrangements within the police service.