§ 20. Mr. Colin ShepherdTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in securing greater efficiency and value for money from the West Mercia police force.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggMy right hon. Friend is advised by Her Majesty's inspectors of constabulary about the efficiency of provincial police forces. The West Mercia police have improved the value for money they obtain from their resources by means such as the streamlining of administrative procedures and the introduction of operational support units; and the use of information technology for crime pattern analysis and fingerprint identification.
29. Mr. Andy StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of progress in securing greater efficiency and value for money from the West Mercia police force in considering applications for increases in its establishment.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggMy right hon. Friend announced on 30 January his decision to approve an increase of 28 police posts for West Mercia constabulary with effect from 1 April 1989. Full account was taken of the force's commitment to a programme of civilianisation over recent years.