§ Mr. Matesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to promote effectiveness and efficiency in the police service.
§ Mr. BrittanThe number of police officers and expenditure on the police service have increased substantially in recent years, and most forces have been able to recruit up to their establishments. It is a major aim of my policy to ensure that these increased resources are used as effectively and eficiently as possible. I have today issued a circular to police authorities and chief officers of police inviting them to review their objectives and priorities and to ensure that resources are allocated and police and civilian manpower deployed in a way that will most effectively and efficiently secure those objectives and priorities. The circular has been prepared in 511W consultation with representatives of the local authority associations and of chief officers of police. I have placed a copy in the Library of the House.