§ Mr. LeightonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the reasons for the reduction in numbers of police officers in the London borough of Newham in the last year.
§ Mr. Charles WardleDeployment of personnel within the Metropolitan police is a matter for the commissioner, but I understand that the reduction is due to civilianisation of some posts, employment of the manpower allocation formula at area level affecting manpower available to divisions, and the transfer of responsibility for court staff, and Whitehall security staff, from division to area or headquarters.