§ Mr. George Grantasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Chief Constable of the Northumbria Constabulary of the numbers who have left the force since the reorganisation of police areas, the number recruited during the same period, the shortfall of the authorised establishment, of how far the authorised establishment falls short of his estimated need, and of how many officers in the present force will be entitled to retire on pension before 1st April 1976.
§ Dr. Summerskill:During the period 1st April 1974 to 28th February 1975, 185 officers left the force and 170 joined. On 28th February there were 239 vacancies on the authorised establishment of 3,322 and 382 officers will be eligible to retire on pension before 1st April 1976.
The authorised establishment is under consideration by the police authority, which has indicated that it considers that an increase is necessary. We shall give careful consideration to the authority's detailed proposals when we receive them.
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§ Mr. George Grantasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals there are to stimulate recruitment for the Northumbria Constabulary.
§ Dr. Summerskill:There is an active local recruitment campaign which includes advertising, visits to schools and exhibitions, and discussions with careers advisers. The police authority is providing £23,770 for these activities during 1975–76. In addition the force benefits from the national recruitment campaign for which provision for more than £750,000 has been made for 1975–76.