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The purpose of this paper is to widen some of the recent discussion which focusses on austerity being the driver for introducing continuous improvement (CI) methodologies, such as Lean and Six Sigma, into policing.

The authors apply over 80 years combined experience in policing and CI to analyse academic and practitioner literature to summarise the drivers for change and the progress of Lean and Six Sigma in policing and the UK Public Sector.

The paper concludes that there are significant gaps in the literature and while there are undoubted challenges, there are overlaps between the strategic direction of policing and the approaches of Lean and Six Sigma.

There are a small but growing number of papers which evidence the applicability of Lean and Six Sigma in policing.

The paper emphasises the risks to service delivery if factors such as budget constraints are considered in isolation. The paper provides examples of opportunities which may exist in policing as well as introducing ongoing work in policing.

This paper is among the first to explore the issues of how CI methodologies fit into the strategic direction and challenges of policing services.

Nine young people in the hotel and catering industry have been awarded travelling scholarships worth up to £1,500 each by the Hotel and Catering Industry Training Board. This is the second year of the travel scholarship scheme; nine scholarship were awarded for 1978. The scheme is designed to assist young people between the ages of 18 and 25 working in establishments in the hotel and catering industry, and those being educated for employmen in the industry, to travel overseas for further study or work experience; it helps the career opportunities and personal development of young people, benefits the industry as a whole, and demonstrates the industry's commitment to its young people. Neither academic knowledge nor craft skill by themselves decided the awards; particular regard is paid to the way candidates explained how the award would further his or her career in the industry.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Guy Garrod, G.B.E., K.C.B., M.C., D.F.C., LL.D., F.R.Ae.S., has been elected Chairman of the Air League of the British Empire in succession to Major R. H. Mayo, O.B.E., A.M.Inst.C.E., F.R.Ae.S., who has held office during the past three years.

In Somerset samples of all kinds submitted and examined amounted to 1,880. Out of these, 1,666 were taken under the Food and Drugs Act, 1898, and the Statutory Rules and Orders issued by the Ministries of Health and Food and the Public Health Acts. It may be observed, though the fact is but too well known to. all those who are officially concerned with the administration of the Acts referred to above, that the number of Rules and Regulations is now very large. This number, by the very nature of the conditions that gave rise to them, will certainly increase. It follows that though the number of samples submitted may not increase, the work in connection therewith will certainly do so. Thus out of forty‐one samples described as either adulterated or incorrect, about half were incorrectly labelled. If this were only a matter of name and address the error or omission could be easily put right, but claims may be made by the vendors that cannot be substantiated. This is left to the Public Analyst to decide. Thus: “Should not bear a reference to scrofula”; or “‘Double strength’ has no meaning”; or “Should not be described as a ‘Cocktail’.” The Public Analyst has the double duty of correcting all sorts of verbal inaccuracies or exaggerations, and carrying out an analysis, often of a most complex description, and then interpreting the results of that analysis. Out of 689 milks examined, 72, or 10·4 per cent, were adulterated, against only 4 per cent in 1946. “This apparent increase in adulteration is probably due to the fact that a large number of samples were taken as a result of complaints received from milk factories.” Cow fat content was in some cases directly traceable to the large proportion of Friesian cows in the herd. The farmers were recommended to introduce into their herds cows of a breed giving milk with a higher proportion of fat. The old fault of bad mixing was responsible for some other prosecutions. Thus 8·67 per cent of fat at the top of the churn and 2·70 at the bottom at the time of delivery. The Report observes that a substance called Ground Almond Substitute should correspond to some extent with ground almonds. This remark was suggested as a result of examining a sample of the alleged substitute. It had a slight odour and flavour of almonds, but no further resemblance to almonds. The 4·2 per cent of fixed oil was mainly derived from the wheat—85 per cent—and the soya flour—15 per cent—of which it was composed. As flour costs 3d. a lb., and soya flour 10½d. a lb., it is pointed out that the cost of this mixture would be 4½d. a lb. It was sold for 2s. a lb. We are glad to note that the magistrate's view of the swindle was a £5 fine. As it might be used raw for cake icing or marzipan, the result of ingesting this rubbish would probably bring about digestive troubles in young children.

The Annual Dinner of the Institute of Petroleum at Grosvenor House last month, again presented the welcome opportunity for so many members and friends to get together and discuss matters of mutual interest, both before, during and after the dinner. More than 700 attended this year and the gathering included some very distinguished people amongst the President's Guests, and also amongst the members and their friends. The principal guest was Vice‐Admiral Earl Mountbatten of Burma, K.G., P.C., G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E., G.C.V.O., K.C.B., D.S.O., who proposed the toast of “The Petroleum Industry”.

ONCE upon a time—admittedly many years ago—a working man sneered at his son who wished he might go on to a University: “Education and a penny will buy you a loaf”. The inference was that without the penny the boy would starve.

LIBRARIANSHIP is an established profession, international in scope, and currently passing through a period of acute shortage of trained personnel. The City of Liverpool, situated at the gate‐way of the New World, has given its School of Librarian‐ship some of the elements of its international character, while the current dearth of librarians has given it the opportunity to expand.

In order to ensure that only tea which is pure and fit for human food shall pass into the country, all consignments are examined on importation. In the first place this examination is made by tea inspectors trained in the Laboratory and approved by the Treasury under the provisions of the Sale of Food and Drugs Act, 1875.

A committee of enquiry to look into the question of stimulating the development of day release from employment of young people under 18 years of age has been set up by the Minister of Education.