§ Mr. Georgeasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police were employed in (a) England and Wales, (b) the West Midlands and (c) Walsall on 1 January 1979, 1980, 1981, and 1982; and if he will estimate the numbers for 1983.
§ Mr. MayhewThe information for 1979 to 1982 is as follows:
93W
Police strength at 1 January 1979 1980 1981 1982 England and Wales 109,075 113,309 117,423 *119,339 West Midlands 5,869 6,160 6,539 *6,674 West Midlands "H" Division (Walsall) 392 428 447 453 *On 30 Novermber 1981.
The Government have made provision to allow the further recruitment of police officers to bring the total strength to 120,750 at 31 March 1983.
It is not possible to forecast the strength of the West Midlands police in 1983; the present authorised establishment is 6,684.