§ Mr. Parkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the West Midlands as to what further plans there are for replacing uniformed officers with civilians on paperwork in the West Midlands police force; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe West Midlands police authority is continuing to implement a phased programme of civilianisation in the force. The civilian strength on 31 March 1986 was 1,661. I understand that its plans for the current financial year are intended to release up to 100 police officers from administrative and other work which does not require the powers and training of a police officer. Further plans are being formulated for implementation in 1987–88.
§ Mr. Parkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the West Midlands as to how many hours of police overtime the West Midlands force spent Oil paperwork in each of the years since 1980; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Giles ShawI understand from the chief constable that this information is not available.