HC Deb 21 April 1994 vol 241 cc1021-2
1. Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what response he has made to the Local Government Commission's proposal to split the Humberside police force.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Charles Wardle)

My right hon. and learned Friend is considering the Local Government Commission's recommendation about future policing arrangements in the Humberside area.

Mr. Mitchell

I was disappointed to hear the Minister say that he is even considering the recommendation because I want him to reject it totally and out of hand. It came out of the blue; it was made without any consultation with any of the interested parties. It is opposed by the police, the police authority, the Police Federation arid the public in Humberside. It would decimate a well-run, efficient force of which we are proud and it would cart parts of the force off to be run by far away local authorities of which we know nothing. The Government should reject the recommendation.

Mr. Wardle

The commission consulted on its draft recommendations, but the hon. Gentleman is right in that it did not consult afresh on its final recommendations. Those recommendations will now be considered. However, my right hon. and learned Friend will not reach any decision about the Humberside police area without first consulting the police forces, the police authorities and others who would be affected by any such change.

Mr. John Greenway

Does my hon. Friend agree that people want to see more police officers on the beat? Can he assure the House and my constituents that the proposed amalgamation of the North Yorkshire and the Humberside forces, which is in the Local Government Commission report, will deliver more police officers on the beat? It is no good simply offering to consult; we want more officers on our streets.

Mr. Wardle

As my hon. Friend knows, the Police and Magistrates' Courts Bill will make provision for strong police authorities which reflect the interests of local people, set locally focused strategies and evaluate police performance. It will allow for a modernised, flexible and streamlined series of police forces with more officers released for operational duties.

Mr. Mike O'Brien

Will the Minister ensure that before there is any change in the area of a constabulary, whether in Humberside or elsewhere, there is a full and proper public inquiry that allows all the people in the area to put their point of view about the area that the constabulary should cover? The Government should not simply try to push things through with a bit of consultation here and there.

Mr. Wardle

No. The hon. Gentleman obviously was not listening to the reply that I gave a few moments ago to the hon. Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell). In making recommendations about local government structures, the commission is required to consider, among other things, the arrangements for law and order services—in other words, all functions that are now part of local government. As I said a moment ago, my right hon. and learned Friend will not reach any decision without consulting the forces and the police authorities that might be affected by any change.