§ 19. Mr. Beaumont-Dark:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received seeking further increases in the establishment of the West Midlands police force.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggMy right hon. Friend has received representations from the police authority, which applied for 350 additional posts, and from hon. Members whose constituencies lie within the force area. On 18 May, at columns466–67, in answer to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Crawley (Mr. Soames), my right hon. Friend announced an increase of 70 posts for West Midlands police with effect from 1 June. The police authority has been informed that the posts outstanding from its application will be considered when my right hon. Friend takes decisions on the next tranche of posts to be approved under the programme which my right hon. Friend announced in May 1986.