§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total number of additional posts applied for by South Yorkshire police authority since 1980; how many he has approved in this period; what was the basis on which he declined to accept the totals requested; and what assessment he has made of the effects of manpower levels on(a) morale and (b) crime prevention in South Yorkshire.
§ Mr. Peter LloydApplications have been made and approvals given in the years set out in the table.
Year Posts applied for Posts approved 1980–81 278 120 1983–84 154 — 1985–86 9 — 1986–87 213 50 1987–88 52 20 1988–89 50 20 1989–90 50 27 1990–91 50 220 1Letter from the Chief Constable rather than from the police authority. 2Approved subject to the police authority confirming willingness to meet its share of the cost. Applications have been considered within the limits of the police growth which is affordable year on year, and with advice from Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary on the evidence of need and the ability to release police posts by recruiting civilian staff. We are not aware of any morale or crime prevention considerations which would justify different treatment of the police authority's manpower applications.