§ Mr. Frank Fieldasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions over the past five years the Merseyside police authority has requested an increase in its force establishment; how many additional posts have been agreed to; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThere has been one such application. The new Merseyside police authority, which took over responsibility on 1 April 1986, included a proposal for an increase in the police establishment of the force in its manpower plans for the financial year 1986–87. My right hon. Friend approved 72 additional police posts for the force on 26 March 1986.