HC Deb 17 November 1977 vol 939 c295W
25. Mr. Tim Renton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied with the current level of male recruitment into the police force.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

Recruitment, of men as well as women, remains good; but I could not be satisfied while there are substantial numbers of vacancies in some of the large, urban forces.

Mr. Arnold

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for improving recruitment to the police force.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

Recruitment to police forces is the responsibility of chief officers of police. My Department assists their local publicity efforts by advertising in the national Press, provision of recruiting literature, films and project materials for use in schools and exhibition equipment. New advertising material and literature coming into use now is designed to give further encouragement to young people with higher educational qualifications—including graduates—to join, and we are encouraging other special arrangements to stimulate those at universities and polytechnics to consider a police career.