§ Mr. HannamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the 700 extra police posts approved by him have been taken up by the local authorities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter LloydMy right hon. Friend announced on 20 December 1990 the allocation in 1991–92 of 564 police posts for the provincial forces, 100 for the Metropolitan police and 36 for the regional crime squads. Of the 564 extra posts that have been allocated to 34 provincial forces 26 have not yet been taken up, by two police authorities which have so far been unable to confirm that they will be able to meet their share of the additional cost.