To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many special constables were recruited by the West Midlands police force in each of the last three years. (128853)

[holding answer 20 March 2007]: Figures on the recruitment of special constables are collected by the Home Office, but are not published in the Police Service Strength Bulletin. Recruitment figures exclude specials on transfer from other forces and those rejoining. The figures are in the following table.