§ 80. Mr. AmosTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received about the current manning levels of the Northumbria police force; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggMy right hon. Friend considered an application from the police authority for an additional 84 police posts for the Northumbria police in 1989–90. As announced on 30 January at columns6–7, he was able to approve 30 posts subject to the authority's confirmation of funding which has since been received; 800 posts were available for provincial forces for 1989–90 and demand exceeded this.
The Department has also received an application for 59 other posts in order to police the Tyne and Wear Metro rapid transit system. This proposal is under consideration.