asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations he has received in reply to the consultative document on the "Report of the Committee on Obscenity and Film Censorship", Cmnd 7772.

We have so far received about 1,150 letters commenting on the report, though not all of these were in direct response to the consultative document.

Since the Williams committee found that the present laws were a mess, will my hon. and learned Friend agree that early legislation is necessary? While I appreciate that he has not had time to examine all the representations that have been made, does he anticipate that legislation will be introduced in the next Session of Parliament?

No, Sir.

Does the Minister accept that the legislation that I believe is sought by the hon. Member for Leek (Mr. Knox) is long overdue and that those in the entertainment and film industries are looking to the Government to give them further guidance?

I accept that there is concern about this subject, but I think it would be right for us to complete our consideration of the comments on the Williams report.

Will my hon. and learned Friend reject the findings of the committee, redefine pornography and then make publication of all pornographic material illegal?

Not until we have finished considering the report.

How can there be any coherent policy on pornographic films when large quantities of the material now seized by the police are circulated by the Director of Public Prosecutions to mental hospitals? This includes material depicting sexual acts involving children. Can the Minister give an assurance that he has issued no circulars or advice to chief constables to deter them from inquiring into cases of this kind?

I am not conscious of any such circulars.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what studies his Department is making of the effect of high unemployment among young blacks on race relations.

The Home Office has commissioned a study into the attitudes of young people of West Indian origin to social and statutory agencies. This study will include an analysis of the attitudes of young black people who are unemployed. This is in addition to a number of other studies currently being undertaken by the Government on unemployment among the ethnic minorities.

Does the Minister realise that the rate of unemployment among young blacks, especially West Indians, is about four times as high as it is among young white people, bad though that is, and that the "sus" laws have exacerbated a difficult and growing situation which undoubtedly led to incidents that occurred in Bristol? Is he aware that there will undoubtedly be a recurrence of similar incidents unless some action is taken to alleviate this terrible situation?

We are aware of the problem that the hon. Gentleman has described. The Department of Employment and the Manpower Services Commission are carrying out a great deal of work on the matter. We accept the need for a change in the law on "sus", but if the offence were repealed immediately, certain acts that show indisputable criminal intent, such as tampering with car doors, would be legalised. Therefore, the offence must be looked at in the context of the criminal law as a whole.

Does my hon. Friend agree that the attitude shown by the chairman of the Watford Muslim Association, Mr. Rashid Choudrey, is constructive? Is my hon. Friend aware that on his election Mr. Choudrey asked me to accompany him on his visit to the local chief superintendent of police to discuss ways of improving race relations in the borough of Watford? Is not that the sort of attitude that we should be encouraging?

My hon. Friend is clearly fortunate that the chairman of the Watford Muslim Association adopts such an attitude. I agree that it is pre-eminently a matter in which constructive initiatives are necessary.

Is the Minister aware that the leisurely nature of the studies that are taking place will cause great disappointment in inner cities areas such as Brixton, which I represent, where there are fears that social tensions are rising rapidly because of youth unemployment? Is he aware that 4,000 young people, black and white, left schools in Lambeth last week and were chasing 140 vacancies?

Obviously research alone will not cure the problem. The Department of Emploment is increasing the youth opportunities programme by 25 per cent. as one of the measures that it is taking to deal with the serious problem.

Does my hon. Friend agree that the number of unemployed young blacks will be reduced if the number of blacks in the country is reduced or kept to an irreducible minimum? Does he further agree that the vast majority of the people of this country would wish the Government to take action, which they have not so far taken, to cut back the number of coloured people coming to this country and to increase the voluntary repatriation proposals from the laughable proposals that we have at the moment?

We have taken measures to tighten our immigration control and they will be having an effect, but I do not feel that my hon. Friend's approach is necessarily the one which will do most to solve the problem.

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that this is such an urgent problem that studies are not enough? In view of the high unemployment among blacks, will he tackle racial disadvantage in every inner city area and every area where it can occur and is occurring? Will he also introduce legislation on the lines of the Local Government Grants (Ethnic Groups) Bill which was introduced by the previous Government?

I have already said that I believe that research alone will not solve the problem. I doubt whether the reintroduction of the legislation of the previous Government would make any significant contribution. What matter are the sort of steps being taken by the Department of Employment, and the strengthening of our economy, which is the Government's overriding economic objective.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in the light of the proposals in the latest annual report of the Police Complaints Board, he will arrange for a different system of investigation in case of serious injury incurred by a person while in police custody.

The main recommendation in the board's triennial review report is that complaints of serious injury should be investigated by a specialist body of investigating officers answerable to an independent lawyer. As I said in reply to a question by my hon. Friend, the Member for Peters-field (Mr. Mates) on 15 July, Lord Plowden has accepted my invitation to chair a working party to consider in detail how it might be possible to implement the recommendation.

Does the Home Secretary agree that it would be in the interests of the police if a statutory system were created under which the investigation of such incidents was divorced from the police?

I believe that, in principle, the board's recommendation is right. The purpose of the working party is to investigate how it should be carried out in detail.

I welcome my right hon. Friend's reply, but does he agree that one of the serious problems that the Police Complaints Board still faces is that it is required to investigate a multitude of vexatious and trivial complaints and that, therefore, it does not always have the necessary time and resources to devote to the investigation procedures of major and serious complaints?

That is an important matter which affects the work of the board. I hope that its proposal about serious cases will help it to concentrate on them, rather than on the smaller, and often trivial, complaints.

Is the Home Secretary aware that I agree that the proposal of the board and the steps that the right hon. Gentleman is taking to consider it are correct? Is he further aware that I hope that, before we get to legislation, the House will have a chance to consider the matter, because, in the way that has been described by the hon. Member for Thanet, East (Mr. Aitken), and in other ways, there is concern about the Act of three years ago? The House passed it and ought to have the chance to look at it.

I agree with the right hon. Gentleman.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now consider legislation to curb the abuse of parking facilities, including the non-payment of fines by diplomats and others entitled to immunity.

No, Sir. The privilege of immunity from criminal jurisdiction—and therefore from any obligation to pay parking fines—is one which Her Majesty's Government are obliged to grant to diplomatic agents by virtue of their acceptance of the Vienna convention on diplomatic relations. Privileges afforded by that convention cannot be unilaterally withdrawn.

Does not the Minister agree that far too many of our otherwise welcome guests are abusing the hospitality of this country and that they should obey the laws of Britain while they are here? As so many of them are abusing our hospitality in so many ways, has not the time come to call for an international inquiry into the limits that should be placed on diplomatic immunity and on those who enjoy it?

I share the hon. and learned Gentleman's concern about abuse, though I am not sure that I agree about how to approach the matter. I remind him that representations are made to the missions that are most guilty of abuse and there is a follow-up monthly. I also remind the House of something which may not be so well known, namely that the police have the right to remove vehicles, even those belonging to diplomats, that cause obstruction. Between 1 April 1979 and 31 March 1980, the police towed away 234 cars.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is yet in a position to announce what provision he intends to make for existing users of citizens band radio when issuing regulations to govern its use.

Our discussion document on our proposals for Open Channel should be published very soon. As we have made clear, we do not regard the 27 MHz frequency band as suitable for use for this purpose in this country. Its use is illegal, and will remain so even when Open Channel is introduced.

I welcome the speedy action that my hon. Friend has taken in issuing the document, but may I point out that large numbers use 27 MH3 for this purpose and ask whether his proposals contain provision for any transitional arrangements to be made once he has decided which waveband would be suitable?

I suppose that when my hon. Friend talks of transitional provisions he means some sort of amnesty. Operating an amnesty in the sense of collecting and disposing of 27 MH3 sets could be a burdensome demand on resources and it would not be necessary. Installation or use of the equipment is an offence, but, unless the equipment has been imported illegally, possession of it is not an offence. I stress again that this is an area where the law must be upheld and we intend to do that.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further action is proposed to reduce the prison population.

The Government are doing all they can to promote and encourage the development of alternatives to imprisonment, including the provision of additional resources for the work of the probation service and others. Five new senior attendance centres are being planned, and measures are in hand which it is hoped will lead to a reduction in the numbers of mentally disordered offenders and habitual drunks in prison. However, it is clear that the best and earliest hope of reducing the prison population rests on the imposition of shorter custodial sentences by the courts.

Will the Home Secretary consider following the example set by my right hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, South (Mr. Rees) who gave a 50 per cent. remission of sentences when he was Secretary of State for Northern Ireland? Is it not a fact that overcrowded conditions and the fact that three or four men are crowded into each cell does not assist them to lead a noncriminal life when they leave prison?

We shall debate these matters in the House tomorrow. I note what the hon. Gentleman says and I have consistently made it clear that I rely on shorter sentences being imposed by the courts. However, I have never ruled out the sort of emergency measures which were carried through in Northern Ireland by the right hon. Member for Leeds, South, (Mr. Rees).

While welcoming the determined actions of my right hon. Friend in this sphere is it not clear that, even if all the measures he is taking have some effect, there will still be a desperately high prison population? Is it not absolutely necessary that we consider building more prisons? Will my right hon. Friend make a statement about that in the debate on the prison report tomorrow?

Yes, I will.

If the prison population continues to rise and the courts do not impose shorter sentences on a voluntary basis, to what level will the prison population have to rise before the Home Secretary recommends legislation?

I am not so unwise as to indulge in discussion of such numbers.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that the best way to prevent the prison population rising is to have real deterrents for those who commit crime? Will he not, therefore, reintroduce hard labour in prisons, corporal punishment, and capital punishment for certain categories of murder?

No, Sir.

Does not the Home Secretary agree that a proper way to reduce the prison population would be to make sure that those prisoners who should be in hospital—because they are ill—are in hospital? Is not the Home Secretary concerned about the recent death in Ashford remand home of a young prisoner, whose parents were not informed of the position? What further action is the Home Secretary taking to make sure that that kind of death in an establishment for which he is responsible never happens again?

I share the hon. Gentleman's concern. No Home Secretary can be free from anxiety when such things happen in the system. I deeply regret those happenings and shall do everything I can to see that they do not occur again. I shall, of course, take account of what the hon. Gentleman says. I agree with him that as many prisoners as possible who are ill should be in hospital.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to issue a draft code of guidance on fire precautions in residential accommodation for the elderly.

A draft guide will be circulated on a consultative basis later this year prior to publication.

Is my hon. and learned Friend aware that I am grateful for that reply, which is somewhat more encouraging than those that I have received on this subject in the last 18 months? Does he accept that early agreement on a code of guidance is a vital first step towards ensuring, in those few homes where fire precautions are still inadequate, that they are brought up to standard? Will my hon. and learned Friend ensure that there will be no delay in the consultations on the draft code as soon as it is published?

I accept that my hon. Friend says and I undertake that there will be no delay.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with race relations on Mersey-side.

We are not complacent about race relations anywhere. We are, however, aware of the efforts being made to find effective responses to the problems which Merseyside faces.

Is the Minister aware of the recent report of the Merseyside community relations council which expressed great concern at the tensions existing between young coloured people in Liverpool and the Merseyside police? Is he further aware that these young people are threatening to withdraw co-operation with the police? Has he seen a recent report of Liverpool trades council which also calls attention to the tension and frustration caused by the appalling unemployment among young coloured people? Do the Government plan to ameliorate the position or are we to have riots on our streets?

I am aware of the letter that the senior community relations officer of Merseyside sent to the chief constable of Merseyside on 10 July calling for a major review of the police approach to relations with the black community. I understand that the chief constable sent a considered reply on 29 July. In his letter he rejected the council's contention that there are bad relations between the police and the black community on Merseyside although he acknowledged that certain tensions existed. He also indicated that he would be fully prepared to consider and discuss the council's various proposals for improving relations.

Does my hon. Friend agree that, in the long term, race relations on Merseyside, as in the rest of the country, will be best improved if the size of the immigrant and immigrant-descended population is kept to an absolute minimum?

As I have already told my hon. Friend it is the policy of the Government to tighten up immigration control. We have done that. However, that is not the whole story. Confidence between the different communities is absolutely essential.

Is the Minister satisfied that sufficient effort is being made on Merseyside, in Greater Manchester, in London, and in other areas where black Britons are living, to recruit them into the police forces? Is not there a danger in white forces policing the black unemployed? Should not the Minister's Department be making greater efforts to get black youngsters into the police forces?

I am aware of the problem described by the hon. Gentleman and we agree with him. We are planning to launch a campaign in the autumn to recruit black people into the police forces.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has issued any circulars to chief constables in connection with marches and processions held by political or other organisations; and what these are.

No, Sir.

Is the Home Secretary aware that the National Front proposes to march through West Bromwich next month? Is he further aware that many prominent Church leaders, and others, have asked the chief constable of the West Midlands to ban that march? Does the Home Secretary agree that it is an abuse of democracy to allow this organisation to import various thugs and Hitler worshippers to march through a town which most of them have never seen? Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to do something about it?

As the hon. Gentleman knows, under the Public Order Act 1936 it is for the chief constable to reach his own decision on whether to approach the local authority concerned to seek a ban on the march. I cannot direct him to seek a ban and I cannot anticipate his decision. I shall, of course, consider most carefully any request for my approval of such a ban.

Is the Home Secretary aware that processions will take place at the Notting Hill carnival in August? Does he recall that last year there was very little trouble at those processions, in contrast to the previous year? Is he aware that I believe that that was mainly because the officers who policed those processions last year were those who usually police the House of Commons. They went to Notting Hill during the recess and treated the marchers like Members of Parliament rather than as potential offenders. Will the right hon. Gentleman ask the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police to ensure that the same policemen are on duty this year as were on duty last year?

Without comparing the various groups of people with whom the police have to deal I note what the hon. Gentleman says and I join him in paying tribute to the police in the Palace of Westminster. I shall certainly see that the Commissioner is made aware of what the hon. Gentleman says. The Notting Hill carnival presents considerable problems and I hope that those who organise it are ready to co-operate with the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. He has shown that he is prepared to co-operate with them. If there is that co-operation I believe that the carnival will, once more, pass off peacefully.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set up a working party to review the working of the Race Relations Act 1976.

My right hon. Friend has no plans to set up such a working party.

Does not my hon. Friend agree that the time has come to review the working of this Act? Does he not agree that the Act should be repealed and that the whole paraphernalia and drivel of the race relations industry should be abolished?

The Act has not been on the statute book very long. We have no plans to abolish the Commission for Racial Equality.

Would it not be better if the hon. Member for Louth (Mr. Brotherton) read the Act before commenting upon it? Is not there sufficient evidence already to show that we made a mistake in giving to the Commission for Racial Equality powers in addition to the law enforcement role, with which it should be preoccupied? Is not the CRE being diverted into channels that it was never intended to deal with?

I know that that point of view is held by a number of hon. Members and by some people outside the House. However, our experience does not suggest that the decision to replace the old race relations board and community relations commission with one body was wrong.

Will not my hon. Friend give further consideration to the reasonable request made by my hon. Friend the Member for Louth (Mr. Brotherton)? Does not my hon. Friend accept that the whole paraphernalia of the Race Relations Act and community relations commissions is counter-productive to the best interests of the ethnic minorities in this country? The majority of our indigenous population believe that there is positive discrimination against them. Does not my hon. Friend believe that evolution is better than the nonsense of the Race Relations Act?

I would never argue that everything that is done by all those bodies is perfect, but I repeat to my hon. Friend that we do not believe that we have reached the stage when it would be right to jettison the system which was set up by the 1976 Act.

Is the Minister aware that on at least three occasions this afternoon his hon. Friends have made blatantly racist comments——

Disgraceful! Withdraw.

Order. Let us hear the remainder of the question.

The Minister has not seen fit to repudiate those statements. Will he do so now?

I do not accept that assertion—

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I do not know whether the hon. Member for Battersea, South (Mr. Dubs) was referring to me, but it is surely in order for me to speak in defence of the people of England, as opposed to people of other nations who come to live here.

Order. Had the hon. Gentleman been out of order, I should have reminded him.

I do not accept the observation of the hon. Member for Batter-sea, South (Mr. Dubs). My hon. Friends are entitled to express their views, even if we do not agree with them on all occasions.

asked the Secretary of Slate for the Home Department if he will mount a publicity campaign to counteract unfavourable publicity about the police.

No, Sir. The police are alive to the need to explain their activities to the public, and their successes speak for themselves.

Does the Home Secretary agree that the most helpful single step would be if those who made a political career out of attacking the police found some other object to pursue?

It is not for me to comment on how anyone pursues his political career.

Would it not be a good thing if chief constables accepted the wise advice given by one of their number recently to the effect that they should be more reluctant than they have recently been to make public statements on matters of controversial public policy?

Not many years ago there were demands from all sides of the House that chief constables and others in the police service should speak up for that service. Now that they are doing so, people are complaining. I believe that chief constables should make their voices heard on policing matters. It is important. I should like to see them stand up for their forces and what they are doing. To revert to the point made by my hon. Friend the Member for Gosport (Mr. Viggers), the police are well able to stand up for themselves against sniping attacks from ill-intentioned quarters.

I do not wish to attack the police or anyone else, but is the Home Secretary aware that almost two years ago someone was murdered, on an occasion when hundreds of policemen were present, and that from that day to this no action has been taken to arrest those responsible? I am referring to Blair Peach. Will the Minister accept that, by now, the police should have taken action to arrest whoever was responsible? When will someone be arrested or other action be taken? When will we be told who is responsible—unless it is the case that Blair Peach hit himself on the head, which I cannot believe?

I have nothing to add to what I have said on the subject on many occasions.

Are not chief constables now virtually a law unto themselves, with internal courts similar to the Church courts at the time of Henry II? Will the right hon. Gentleman accept that I have come across two cases in my city of internal police discipline, when it has not been possible to discover what action has been taken? Is he aware that such cases involve policemen who may have perjured themselves in court or committed other civil crimes, and nothing happens to them?

If the hon. Gentleman has serious complaints against the police, the proper procedure for making them is through the chief constable in his area.

Will my right hon. Friend investigate, list and publish the number of statements in defence of the police made by members of the Tribune group?

Mercifully, it is not for me to speak for the Tribune Group.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance is given to officials of magistrates' courts concerning methods of payment of maintenance orders; and whether he will ensure that payment through a recipient's bank is allowable.

We have recommended to clerks to justices that the primary consideration in the method of payment should be the convenience of the payee. There is nothing in the regulations to prevent a cheque from being sent direct to the payee's bank, but responsibility for the administration of individual courts rests with the justices' clerk concerned.

Is my hon. and learned Friend aware that some magistrates' courts refuse to pay maintenance orders into bank accounts, even when the women concerned are elderly and infirm and have no means of getting to the court to collect the money? Does he agree that in this technological age that is nonsense? I thank my hon. and learned Friend for his reply, but will he pursue the matter further to try to improve the situation?

I am aware of the difficulties that my hon. Friend mentions. I cannot exclude the possibility of there being special problems in particular places, but I very much hope that, when the recipient wants the money paid into her bank account, that will be done. I see no general reason why it should not be possible. I hope that the magistrates' courts will feel able to agree to that.

Is the Minister aware that for 10 years after 1970 there was a gross discrepancy between the content of the consolidated circular issued to the police with regard to the provision of DHSS information in connection with the enforcement of maintenance orders and Metropolitan Police Force orders? Will he make sure that his colleague responsible for that matter takes steps to ensure that such a discrepancy never occurs again, because many wives pursuing former husbands in maintenance order cases must have lost money because of that inefficiency in the Home Office?

The hon. Gentleman has pursued the matter with my noble Friend, who is dealing with it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received about BBC financing.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to a question by the hon. Member for Fife, Central (Mr. Hamilton) on 28 July.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the recent argument about the financing of BBC orchestras has highlighted the BBC's basic role, which goes beyond merely the question of internal management? Does he accept that the BBC should concentrate its financial resources on its traditional role of enlarging the educational, cultural and spiritual horizons of the nation, and leave much else to commercial broadcasting?

It is for the Governors of the BBC, within its charter, and the finances provided by this House through the licence fee, to decide what programmes should be followed. I note what my hon. Friend says, as I am sure will the Governors.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that since the last licence fee increase inflation has risen to over 20 per cent., in the absence of an incomes or prices policy? In view of the serious difficulties that the BBC faces, what proposals do the Government have to help?

I made the Government's position clear when I proposed the increase in the licence fee. I expect the BBC to live within its financial constraints, like many other organisations. That is what it is seeking to do and what it should do.

Has the Home Secretary completed his discussions with the ITCA companies regarding a change in the basis of the IBA levy?

No, Sir.

Is the Home Secretary aware that the so-called compromise, whereby the Scottish Symphony Orchestra is to be saved but the Scottish Radio Orchestra is to be scrapped, is unacceptable? Does he agree that the Government should ensure that the BBC has adequate funds to maintain a proper standard of service throughout the country?

It is not for me to comment on a decision of the governors of the BBC, or those with whom they have had discussions. I believe that this House, through the licence fee, gave the BBC the necessary finances, and the governors must seek to live within that limit.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many days were lost in 1979 by police officers in the Metropolitan Police arising from injuries sustained (a) controlling sports crowds, (b) controlling demonstrations, (c) while on police motor cycles, (d) while in police cars and (e) off duty, from sports and games.

A total of 1,659 days were lost through injuries sustained while controlling crowds. Separate figures are not available in respect of sports crowds and demonstrations. The figures for (c), (d) and (e) were 7,849, 8,096 and 9,633 respectively.

While violence against the police in any circumstances is to be condemned, does the Minister agree that the figures prove that violence to the police from sports crowds is far less of a problem than many of the more histrionic representatives of the police suggest? Does he agree that days lost as a result of those injuries amount to less than a fifth of the days lost as a result of police falling from motor cycles or being involved in road accidents? Does he agree that the figures provide no justification for the suggestion that the right to demonstrate should be restricted?

I do not think it fair or proper to compare accidents with deliberate acts occurring in the context of crowds and demonstrations. Of course, I accept that the balance between the rights of the individual to demonstrate and the rights of the public to go about their business in peace is a delicate one. It is precisely for that reason that consideration is being given to the public order law.

Is my hon. and learned Friend aware that everyone applauds the generosity of the public towards my constituent PC Stephen Hickling who lost his hand in a recent incident? However, is my hon. and learned Friend satisfied that policemen generally are generously treated when they are injured on duty?

On the whole, the existing arrangements are acceptable. If my hon. Friend has particular cases in mind in which he thinks matters have not worked out satisfactorily, I should naturally want to look into them.

Does the Minister accept that a serious public question arises about control of the police in relation to issues of principle like this and many others that we have discussed today, which can be resolved only by giving greater democratic control over the police through the police authorities?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total number of people employed in his Department at the most recent convenient date and the year previously, respectively.

On 1 July 1980 the number of staff employed in the Home Office was 34,568. The corresponding figure for 1 July 1979 was 33,489.

Is the Home Secretary aware that I always find his replies interesting, if a bit long-winded? We know about the establishment in the Home Office. We want to know what role the so-called volunteers play in running the country. It has been stated quite categorically by the Government that during this winter of discontent they will use volunteers—an army of blacklegs. I can tell the Home Secretary that this will make confrontation—

Order. The hon. Gentleman should be seeking information, not giving it.

I am strongly in favour of volunteers doing work in many different areas of our national life, but they are not, on the whole, employed by the Home Office.

How many people have access to the new police computer?

I cannot say. without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what length of training is given to a police recruit before he is assigned to normal police duties.

In general police recruits are given an initial training course of 10 weeks in a Home Office police training centre. Thereafter they are given further training in their force, and on patrol are accompanied by an experienced officer—normally for a further two months—before going out on patrol on their own.

Does the Minister agree that that is completely inadequate? Is he aware that the police have a difficult job to do when they get out on the beat? They are on their own to a large degree. They have to undertake a public relations exercise. Will he hold an inquiry into the length of police training to make sure that it is adequate?

I do not agree with the hon. Gentleman. He has taken no account of the fact that all forces have a continuous training programme for probationary constables—that is those in the first two years of service. All probationers return to a police training centre for two weeks of continuation training at the end of 18 months' service. Those facts put the matter into perspective.

Is my hon. and learned Friend satisfied with the level of police recruiting generally?

It has been extremely good, largely as a result of the implementation of the second part of the Edmund-Davies report by the Government as an early priority.