§ Mr. Arnoldasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration he has given to increasing the establishment of the Greater Manchester police.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe Greater Manchester police authority is responsible for determining the police establishment of the force, subject to my right hon. Friend's approval. A total of 208 additional police posts have been approved for the force since May 1979, and the existing police establishment is 6,943. The strength of the252W force on 31 January 1987 was 6,747, an increase of 307 since May 1979, and I understand that the police authority expects the force to reach its full police establishment during the next financial year (1987–88). The force also has a civilianisation programme, which should release police officers for operational duties.