HL Deb 29 November 1982 vol 436 cc1129-30WA
Lord Inglewood

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will confirm that 138 police officers have been recently transferred from other duties to duty in Royal Palaces; and whether they will specify the main duties from which this substantial number has been withdrawn, so inevitably weakening other fields of police cover.

Lord Elton

Following the recent review of royalty protection arrangements, 138 police officers have been added to the Royalty Protection Branch of the Metropolitan Police. I understand from the Commissioner that these officers were drawn from all parts of the Metropolitan Police District (including headquarters) where they were employed on a variety of duties but senior officers would have adjusted the deployment of their remaining officers to ensure continued coverage of priority tasks.

These changes are being taken into account in the review of Metropolitan Police manpower which is currently being carried out. The strength of the Metropolitan Police has increased by 1,083 since the beginning of the year and by 243 since July.