§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will meet the chief constables of Wales to discuss the manning levels of the police forces of the constabularies in Wales; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggMy right hon. Friend visited South Wales constabulary on 30 January and plans to visit Dyfed-Powys police later in the year. My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister of State visited North Wales police on 1 February. There were and will be opportunities to discuss police manpower on these and other occasions.
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will visit North Wales police headquarters, Colwyn Bay, to discuss with the chief 809W constable and the police committee police manning levels and the crime rates peculiar to north Wales; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggMy right hon. Friend has no plans to visit the North Wales police. My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister of State visited the force on 1 February. Since the Government took office 51 extra police posts have been approved for North Wales. The police authority has applied for a further 10 posts in 1990–91. This will be considered. It is encouraging to see that recorded crime in north Wales fell by 6 per cent. in 1988.