HC Deb 21 April 1994 vol 241 c1026
5. Mr. Llwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations he has received on the subject of amalgamation of police forces in the last nine months; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Charles Wardle

We have received eight letters from hon. Members and 68 letters from members of the public.

Mr. Llwyd

Some weeks ago, I met the Home Secretary, who told me that the 1976 regulation which precludes an assistant being appointed chief constable in a police area had not been breached since 1976. However, it has already been breached twice in 1993–once in Essex and once in Dorset. Does the Minister agree that the advice of Earl Ferrers to a deputation from the North Wales police authority that it should place the assistant on the short list, interview and then not appoint to save face for the Home Office and avoid political embarrassment is nothing short of disgraceful?

Mr. Wardle

The guidelines have not been breached as the hon. Gentleman suggests and my right hon. and noble Friend did not give that advice. The hon. Gentleman will be aware, and the House may wish to know, that the post of North Wales chief constable is to be re-advertised. The successful candidate will not necessarily be a Welsh speaker, but the hon. Gentleman may be interested to know that he or she must undertake to learn Welsh.

Mr. Allason

Does my hon. Friend agree that while there is a good case for greater integration of police forces —especially of criminal investigation departments and the use of computer resources—there is not necessarily a good case for big is beautiful and the amalgamation of police forces? The Devon and Cornwall police force, in particular, is already large enough.

Mr. Wardle

The Government have no hidden agenda, as some would suggest, or a predetermined view about the right size for a police force. As my hon. Friend will know, provisions in the Police and Magistrates' Courts Bill allow for full consideration of the views and wishes of interested parties when any amalgamation is proposed. Existing procedures, which stem from the Police Act 1964, are cumbersome, long drawn out and expensive and need to be simplified. The ground needs to be prepared in case of amalgamations.

Mr. Barry Jones

Why does not a British Home Secretary with roots in Llanelli think again about the matter? Does he acknowledge that there are strong feelings and great resentment? In the light of what the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Mr. Llwyd) said, why does not the Home Office think again?

Mr. Wardle

As I have already told the House, the post of chief constable of the North Wales force is to be re-advertised, so the procedure will start again with the criteria that I outlined.