§ Mr. LathamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the reasons for his decision not to allocate any further police manpower to the Leicestershire constabulary, following the official request from the chief constable; and whether he will now reconsider his decision.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggIncreases for provincial forces are granted under a phased programme for which total demand far exceeds the number of additional posts available. My right hon. Friend after careful review of the requests received was unable to meet the request from Leicestershire.
I appreciate the disappointment which was caused to Leicestershire and to other authorities whose applications were not met. The police authority has been informed that its application will be considered again, together with the applications of other forces, when my right hon. Friend next takes decisions on the allocations of posts to be approved under the programme.