HC Deb 02 May 1975 vol 891 cc270-3W
Mr. Scott

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied with present levels of recruitment into the Metropolitan Police; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

It is the high rate of wastage rather than low recruitment that has been the main cause of recent manpower difficulties. The strength of the force has in fact remained steady over the first three months of this year; but I am certainly keen to encourage more recruitment.

Mr. Scott

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied with the present quality of recruits offering themselves to the Metropolitan Police; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

Yes. Candidates of differing standards offer themselves for

LONDON
On the basis of a five-day week
Up to 10 years' service 18 days
Up to 17 years' service 21days
Over 17 years' service 23 days
PARIS
On the basis of a six-day week 27 days
BONN
On the basis of a five-day week
Up to age 30 18 days
Up to age 40 22 days
Up to age 30 25 days
ROME
On the basis of a six-day week
Up to 2 years' service 15 days
2 to 6 years' service 20 days
6 to 15 years' service 30days
15 to 25 years' service 40 days
Over 25 year s' service 45 days
STOCKHOLM
On the basis of a six-day week
New entrants and up to age 29 24–27 days
From age 30 to39 27–30 days
From age 40 upwards 30–33 days
OTTAWA
On the basis of a five-day week
Ottawa City Police
Up to 14 years' service 21 days
Over 14 years' service 28 days
Plus 1 day for each extra years' service
Ontario Provincial Police
Up to 14 years' service 21 days
Over 14 years' service 28 days
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Up to 10 years' service 21 days
Over 10 years' service 28 days
plus traveling time to and from home in Canada.

Mr. Scott

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the average weekly hours presently being worked by constables in the Metropolitan Police for each of the divisions in that force.

recruitment but are accepted only after the most rigorous selection procedure, which includes interviews, educational tests, medical examination and background inquiries. The reduction later this year in the minimum age of entry to 18½will increase the attractiveness of the police service to the better qualified school leaver.

Mr. Scott

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the current annual leave entitlements of police constables, or their equivalents, in London, Paris, Bonn, Rome, Stockholm and Ottawa, respectively.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

The information is as follows:

Mr. Roy Jenkins

The information requested is not readily available. But a sample survey undertaken by the Police Council in May 1974 in the Metropolitan and City of London forces indicated that uniform constables worked on average 51.6 hours a week and detective constables 61.4 hours a week.

Mr. Scott

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total establishment and strength of the Metropolitan Police as a whole, and in regard to each of its divisions.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

On 13th April the establishment of the Metropolitan Police was 26,628, and the strength was 20,891. The position in each of the territorial divisions was as follows:

Division Establishment Strength
Airport 757 584
A 1,034 866
B 859 691
C 997 756
D 1,013 708
E 1,036 700
F 646 497
G 707 521
H 776 597
J 1,152 839
K 1,341 973
L 872 726
M 1,064 767
N 771 559
P 1,112 823
Q 941 700
R 957 691
S 947 623
T 996 674
V 838 616
W 796 628
X 975 691
Y 1,146 819
Z 1,072 788
Thames 209 212
Totals 23,014 17,049