§ Mr. TrotterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the ratio of police personnel to the population in the United Kingdom; and what is the comparable figure for the other countries of the European Community.
§ Mr. Peter LloydMy right hon. and learned Friend is responsible for policing in England and Wales where the police population ratio was 1:404 as at 31 December 1989. Ratios for other European Community countries are not held centrally although the Home Affairs Committee (seventh report volume I table II) published relevant information about population and police numbers. In comparing one country with another one must, of course, have regard to a variety of matters including the responsibilities of particular police organisations and the policing style which is adopted.