§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the most recent breakdown of158W the Police Resources Unit projections of total police service strength in England and Wales from 31 March 1999 to 31 March 2003. [123975]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeThere were 126,096 police officers on 31 March 1999. On the basis of projections made by police forces earlier this year, total police numbers for 31 March 2000 were estimated at 124,800. Actual figures should be available by the end of June. For projections for 2000–01 and 2001–02, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary gave to the hon. Member for North Shropshire (Mr. Paterson) on 22 May 2000,Official Report, columns 655–58W.
Police force projections indicate that for 31 March 2003 there would be 125,900 police officers, as cited in the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Southwark North and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) on 15 March 2000, Official Report, columns 177–79W. Chief Officer's projections were made on the basis of the Comprehensive Spending Review settlement which extends to 2001–02, but in the absence of any information about funding levels for the police service in 2002–03. Funding levels from 2002–03 will only be known when the outcome of the 2000 Spending Review is announced in the summer, when more realistic projections can be made.