§ 24. Mr. Oakesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will extend the protection offered by rule 23 to police officers of borough forces involved in amalgamation schemes to police officers affected by the amalgamation of the county forces or the division of an existing county force; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Minister of State (Home Office) (Mr. Mark Carlisle)Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend has told the police representative organisations and the local authority associations that he intends to extend the protection of regulation 23 to all those affected by the forthcoming reorganisation.
§ Mr. OakesIs the hon. and learned Gentleman aware of the great satisfaction that will give to police officers, who have 441 waited a long time with a great degree of uncertainty about what their future would be as a result of the Government's reorganisation proposals?
§ Mr. CarlisleI am sure the police are glad about the decision that has been taken. There has been no delay about it at all. As the hon. Gentleman knows full well, the Police Federation was not anxious to enter into detailed discussion with the Home Office on the matter until after the Local Government Bill left this House. Immediately after that, the negotiations started and we were able to announce this in the Committee stage in the other place.