Metropolitan Police

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Home Department – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 20 February 1997.

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Photo of Michael Howard Michael Howard The Secretary of State for the Home Department 12:00, 20 February 1997

I certainly join the hon. Gentleman in extending my most sincere condolences to the families of the officers who lost their lives last night and to all those who worked with them, who will have been deeply affected by that loss.

On the second part of the hon. Gentleman's question, I repeat what I said to the hon. Member for Newham, North-East. More than 800 extra uniformed constables have been made available to Metropolitan police divisions for operational duties since the election—an increase of 6 per cent. The Commissioner assures me that the settlement for 1997–98 will enable him to increase officer strength to 27,400 during 1997.