HC Deb 28 June 1967 vol 749 c492
14. Mr. Dempsey

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in view of the success of the Crime Squad operating in a limited area in Central Scotland, he will now, after consultations with the chief constables, take steps to establish a Regional Crime Squad to cover Scotland as a whole.

Mr. Ross

Yes, Sir. I have this proposal in hand.

Mr. Dempsey

Will my right hon. Friend say that he will do his utmost to expedite these matters, because at the present time the modern criminal has no parochial boundaries and is highly specialised? Will he do his utmost to secure a Scotland Yard for Scotland to match the techniques of these criminals?

Mr. Ross

My hon. Friend should appreciate that the decision to examine the proposal, which is proceeding very well and quickly, arises because we have three existing area squads. The first covers Glasgow and the Clyde Valley, the second Edinburgh and the South-East, and the third Tayside. It is because of the success of these that we have decided we should go further.