§ Mr. Spellerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to increase the maximum permitted police strength in the county of Devon.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe Devon and Cornwall police authority is responsible for determining the authorised establishment of the force, subject to my right hon. Friend's approval. An increase of 18 police posts was approved in January 1986, meeting in full the police authority's application. We are now considering an application from the authority for a further increase in 17 police posts in this financial year and hope to announce the outcome shortly.