Police Authorities (Hansard, 20 February 1992)

§ 1. Mr. Paice
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any plans to introduce direct elections to police authorities.

§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Kenneth Baker)
We have no plans to change the existing arrangements for the constitution of police authorities, where two thirds of the members are local councillors and one third are local magistrates.

§ Mr. Paice
Is my right hon. Friend aware that in a recent opinion poll only 8 per cent. of the respondents supported the idea that police authorities should consist only of elected members? Is it surprising that the public should resist such an attempt to politicise the police, despite the fact that it is the policy of the Opposition?

§ Mr. Baker
As far as I can see, it is the only policy that will appear in Labour's manifesto, in that Labour want fully elected police authorities. There is no popular support for that and there is no evidence that policing is made more effective by tinkering with the membership of the police authority. In my judgment, magistrates add an important element of non-political independence to any police authority and they help to improve the effectiveness of that authority. We remain strongly opposed to bringing police forces under total local political control.

§ Mr. Tony Banks
Is the Secretary of State aware that in London there is a majority in favour of Labour's proposal to set up an elected police authority for the Greater London area? We already have one elected police authority in London—in the City of London. Is the Secretary of State further aware that the proposal is welcomed not only by the majority of Londoners, but by all the senior officers of Scotland Yard? What has he got to say to that?

§ Mr. Baker
The hon. Gentleman totally misrepresents that opinion of senior police officers of the Metropolitan police. I know perfectly well that when he was chairman of the Greater London council he wanted an elected police authority, and I think that he wanted to be chairman of it—

§ Mr. Tony Banks
No.

§ Mr. Baker
I can think of nothing more damaging to law and order in the metropolis than having the hon. Gentleman as chairman of such an authority.

§ Mr. Tony Banks
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. The Home Secretary has just misled the House. He is a liar.

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. The hon. Gentleman must withdraw that comment, even though I was on my feet.

§ Mr. Banks
If the Secretary of State withdraws his allegation, I will withdraw my accusation.

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. No ifs and buts, please.

§ Mr. Banks
I called the Home Secretary a liar. It is true and I regret it.

§ Mr. Speaker
That compounds the offence. The hon. Gentleman must not call an hon. Member a liar.

§ Mr. Banks
I withdraw it, Sir.