§ Sir John WheelerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the Metropolitan police establishment for 1991–92; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerI have agreed with the Commissioner some important changes to the way in which the Metropolitan police establishment is presented.
Up to now, the Metropolitan police establishment has been presented as a single figure. No distinction is made between those posts available for operational policing across the Metropolitan police district; posts funded nationally or by other organisations, for example, at Heathrow airport, and which are therefore tied to the particular purpose for which those funds are given; and posts in support both locally and at headquarters.
I have agreed therefore a more detailed way of presenting the figures which will enable the public to see more clearly how the resources available to the force are being deployed.
We have also made some changes in the way the establishment is formed. First, we are bringing the Metropolitan police into line with provincial forces in the way in which their officers who are assigned to central or common police service posts are shown on the establishment. In the case of provincial forces, such officers are already treated as supernumerary to the establishment of the force. In future, the Metropolitan police will likewise no longer carry such officers within their establishment and, accordingly, it will be reduced by the extent of the current commitment to central and common police services.
Secondly, I have agreed an important value for money initiative put forward by the Commissioner. This enables the moneys used at present to fund certain police posts which require neither the powers nor the skills of a police officer to be used instead to fund civilian posts. The extra funds released in this way will enable further much-needed civilian support to be funded or officers to be redeployed on operational duties. The total establishment figure will naturally reduce as such police posts are "cashed in" in this way. One hundred posts have been cashed in this year, the effect of which has been to allow the Commissioner to provide more support staff while preserving the present strength of operational police officers. I am confident this change will enable the Commissioner to manage his manpower resources better and deliver an improved service.
The effects of these and other changes, including the increase of 100 posts I announced on 20 December 1990 to take effect from the end of 1991–92, is that the Metropolitan police establishment for 1991–92 will be 651W 28,486, of which 709 are reimbursable posts, 4,609 are support and specialist posts and 23,168 will be available for operational policing in the Metropolitan police district.