asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many police officers are in post in Scotland and in Strathclyde, respectively, at the most recent date for which figures are available; and by what number these figures are less than the authorised establishments for Scotland and Strathclyde, respectively.

At 31st March 1977 the numbers of police officers in post in Scotland and in Strathclyde were 12,294 and 6,416, respectively: these figures are 870 and 576 respectively below the approved establishments.