§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers there were in the Merseyside Constabulary on(a) 1 April 1979, (b) 1 April 1983, (c) 1 April 1987, (d) 1 April 1992 and (e) 1 April 1997. [2481]
§ Mr. MichaelThe information available is set out in the table:
Merseyside police Year1 Number of police officers 1979 4,427 1983 4,631 1987 4,598 1992 4,621 19972 4,230 1As at 31 March. 2Provisional.
Number of persons convicted within the Lancashire police force area for specific drug offences1, 1992–95 Offence 1992 1993 1994 1995 Production or being concerned in the production of a controlled drug 25 26 42 46 Supplying or offering to supply a controlled drug 72 54 73 117 Possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply 92 80 115 160 Possession of a controlled drug 444 295 380 618 1Principal offence only.