§ 18. Mr. Brooksasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce legislation to set up a national police force following the Government's proposals for local government reorganisation; and if he will make a statement.
§ 20. Mr. Arthur Davidsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to establish a national police force.
§ Mr. CallaghanI have no plans to establish a national police force. The reasons for not doing so were set out in the Report of the Royal Commission on the Police in 1962.
§ Mr. BrooksIs my right hon. Friend aware that there will be general satisfaction with that reply? Is he also aware that the Police Federation recently opposed the setting up of such a force, with all the dangers of remote leadership? Will he confirm that it is his intention to maintain an element of local democracy in our citizens' affairs, particularly in areas such as Lancashire and Cheshire where some element of reorganisation will be required by the Redcliffe-Maud proposals?
§ Mr. CallaghanI saw a recent revival of this proposal, but I do not believe that it has much support although it came from a very distinguished quarter. The present composition of the police authorities ensures a great deal of local representation, and I do not see that under any proposed reorganisation it should be any less.
§ Mr. DavidsonI agree with my right hon. Friend in not wanting to establish a national police force, but will he look at the possibility of setting up a national fraud squad in view of the complex and lengthy nature of inquiries into frauds?
§ Mr. CallaghanI have not bent my mind to that problem, but I will certainly look into it if my hon. Friend tells me that there is a need for some review.
§ Mr. HoggFor the uniformed police force would not it be best to let the new amalgamations settle down fully before embarking on new and radical courses?
§ Mr. CallaghanThe right hon. and learned Gentleman, not for the first time, has expressed my own view on this matter.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsIs there not already a national police service, in the sense that the police wear the same uniform, are subject to the same conditions and are always available for mutual aid? Will the Home Secretary give an assurance that he will consult police opinion before he puts forward precise suggestions for implementing the Redcliffe-Maud Report?
§ Mr. CallaghanYes, there would naturally need to be substantial consultations before any consequential changes arising out of the Redcliffe-Maud Report were made. It is important that the forces should be allowed to settle down under the existing amalgamations for as long as possible.