asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will call for a report from the Chief Constable of Lanarkshire on the plans he has for bringing the police force in the County of Lanark up to strength, and as to the number required.

I understand from the Chief Constable that the number of vacancies for regular police officers in his force is currently eight and that he expects the force to be fully up to its authorised strength of 1,029 male officers and 45 female officers by the end of this year.