§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on(a) total number of new recruits who have joined Essex police and (b) total number of police officers who have retired from the Essex constabulary between 1 April 2000 and the latest date for which figures are available. [148700]
§ Mr. Charles Clarke[holding answer 6 February 2001]: Between 1 April 2000 and 30 September 2000, 103 officers joined Essex police; 97 of these were in the rank of constable. During the same period 53 officers retired from the force. The force's total wastage for this period amounted to 80 officers.