§ Lord Harris of Greenwichasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether in view of the impending withdrawal of British Transport Police from the docks operated by Associated British Ports, and the statement by the Parliamentary Secretary at the Department of Transport that this will involve a potential increase 315WA in the workload of county police forces, the Home Secretary proposes to raise the establishment of any of the police forces concerned.
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Elton)Police authorities are responsible for fixing the authorised establishment of forces, subject to the Home Secretary's approval. Chief officers of the six forces concerned are working out the implications of the proposed withdrawal of British Transport Police from the policing of ports owned by Associated British Ports. My right honourable friend the Home Secretary will consider carefully any applications for increases in the police establishment of forces to take account of additional demands on their services in the light of the resources available nationally for increases in police manpower and advice from Her Majesty's inspectors of constabulary.