§ Mr. John MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what increase is proposed in the establishment of the South Wales police authority following the announcement made by him in autumn 1995. [21700]
§ Mr. MacleanIt is for the chief constable and police authority to determine the number of police officers in the force. The South Wales police authority's spending power for 1996–97 effectively increases by £7.7 million or 5.3 per cent. This includes £450,000 as its share of the additional funding to allow 5,000 extra officers to be recruited in the next three years. This would be sufficient to recruit 24 constables in 1996–97. Over the three years, South Wales' share of the 5,000 could total 118 constables.