§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department has taken itself or via the inspectorate of constabulary, to encourage any police force to seek to hold supernumerary posts in the coming year.
§ Mr. Charles WardleNone.
§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many supernumerary posts the Thames Valley police asked to be allowed to hold in 1992–93 and 1993–94; and how many have been permitted by his Department in each case.
§ Mr. Charles WardleI shall arrange for a written reply to be sent to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance was offered(a) by his Department and (b) by the inspectorate of constabulary on the criteria against which he would consider allowing police authorities to hold supernumerary posts in the coming year.
§ Mr. Charles WardleI refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question by him on 14 December 1992, at column6. Police authorities were informed of these criteria in March 1991.