§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any plans to increase the current strength of the police force in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) the Metropolitan Police area.
§ Mr. WhitelawI can answer only for England and Wales. I expect the total strength of the police service, which was 119,575 at the end of 1981, to increase to 120,750 by March 1983. Forces outside London have filled most of the 2,349 additional posts I have authorised since May 1979. I expect the strength of the Metropolitan Police—which was 22,225 at the end of April 1979—to reach its authorised establishment of 26,615 in 1983.