HL Deb 20 February 2001 vol 622 c89WA
Lord Tebbit

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether physical standards for Metropolitan Police officers have been relaxed since May 1997. [HL728]

Lord Bassam of Brighton

I have been advised by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) that the basic standards have not been relaxed but some changes have been made in relation to applicants' medical and dental history.

The changes are the result of a review of the minimum standards applied to recruitment by the MPS Recruitment Task Force. They are designed to bring the criteria applied by the MPS into line with those of other forces in the United Kingdom.

All the changes have been carefully considered to ensure the MPS is socially inclusive, nondiscriminatory and fair, while maximising the number, quality and diversity of recruits who meet the minimum standards.