§ Mr. Steelasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from the Lothian and Borders police board on the level of the establishment of the Lothian and Borders police force.
§ Mr. RifkindThe board wrote to my Department on 1 June indicating that it had in mind to submit an application for an increase in the force establishment in due course. The application has not yet been received.
§ Mr. Steelasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the level of establishment of the Lothian and Borders police force in each year since 1975.
§ Mr. RifkindThe establishment of the Lothian and Borders police force since 1975 is as follows:
31 March Police Establishment 19751 2,368 1976 2,368 1977 2,368 1978 2,361 1979 2,361 1980 2,361 1981 2,362 1982 2,362 1983 2,362 1984 2,386 1985 2,395 1986 2,395 1987 2,393 1 The 1975 figure is at 30 June, following reorganisation. Although the police establishment has increased by only 25 officers since 1975, a civilisation programme has released a further 85 officers for operational duties.