§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many special constables were employed by the Welsh police forces in each year since 1990; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacleanThe number of special constables employed by the Welsh police forces in each year since 1990 is as follows:
As at 31 December 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 Dyfed-Powys 210 315 260 271 306 Gwent 76 80 101 109 124 North Wales 199 256 295 298 315 South Wales 257 352 432 534 488 Total 742 1,003 1,088 1,212 1,233 The Government have set forces a target of increasing the number of special constables in England and Wales to 30,000 by 1996. This is an increase of 10,000 on present strength.
As a result of the current national advertising campaign comprising both television commercials and press advertisements, inquiries and preliminary application forms received to date are as follows:
As at 3 March 1995 Enquiry Application Dyfed-Powys 35 14 Gwent 199 60 North Wales 20 4 South Wales 772 265 Total 1,026 343