§ 10 Mr. Norman Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider the setting up of a study commission for the purpose of assessing the possibility of transferring control of the Metropolitan police to an elected body
§ Mr. BrittanNo, Sir
§ Mr. AtkinsonWhy does the Home Secretary so tenaciously resist the demands of Londoners to democratise the accountability of the Metropolitan police9 He has authorised the expenditure of about £760 million He is now setting up consultative committees which, he says, have no right to intervene in the non-operative affairs of the London police or to interfere in policy matters so they can say nothing about that expenditure—justified or not—of £760 million
§ Mr. BrittanI do not agree with the hon Gentleman's suggestion, because nothing could be more dangerous to the liberties of this country than to hand over the police of London to political control
§ Sir John Biggs-DavisonWill my right hon and learned Friend continue to uphold the constitutional independence of chief officers of police, not only in London but throughout the country?
§ Mr. BrittanCertainly The principle applies throughout the country
§ Mr. Simon HughesIf the Home Secretary is not willing to consider handing the police in London over to an elected authority, will he consider handing them over to at least a partly elected authority, in line with the discussions going on about other powers in the context of the GLC abolition Bill being considered in the other place between Ministers and Conservative peers?
§ Mr. BrittanI am not quite sure what the hon. Gentleman is alluding to, but I do not propose any changes in the arrangements for the policing of London.