§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give as much information as may be readily available of the recruitment to the special constabulary services generally and in the areas where riots have recently occurred; and what action he has taken or intends taking to increase recruitment to the special constabulary service generally and in those areas.
§ Mr. WhitelawThe special constabulary is not a national force. Special constables are recruited by each police force on local initiative and no information is held centrally about recruitment. The Government give every encouragement to local efforts to recruit more special constables, who provide valuable support for the regular police.