To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state his reasons for rejecting the application of the South Wales police authority for an increase of 44 posts.

My right hon. Friend takes decisions on applications for increases in police establishments from police authorities in the light of the professional advice of Her Majesty's chief inspector of constabulary. This advice takes account of, among other things, the relative needs of different forces as indicated by the manpower formula, the efficiency with which existing manpower is used, and the extent of any vacancies. The formula indicates that south Wales is relatively well provided at present, compared with other forces.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the number of additional uniformed officers excluding special constables that have been authorised to be added to the strength of the West Yorkshire police each year from 1975 to 1991 shown (a) in total and (b) by police station.

Increases in the police establishment for West Yorkshire police for the years in question are as follows. Allocations to individual police stations is a matter for the chief constable, and this information is not held centrally.