HC Deb 05 July 1994 vol 246 cc156-8

15A.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, a police authority may provide advice and assistance—

  1. (a) to an international organisation or institution, or
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  2. (b) to any other person or body which is engaged outside the United Kingdom in the carrying on of activities similar to any carried on by the authority or the chief officer of police for its area.
(2) The power conferred on a police authority by subsection (1) of this section includes a power to make arrangements under which a member of the police force maintained by the authority is engaged for a period of temporary service with a person or body within paragraph (a) or (b) of that subsection. (3) The power conferred by subsection (1) of this section shall not be exercised except with the consent of the Secretary of State or in accordance with a general authorisation given by him. (4) A consent or authorisation under subsection (3) of this section may be given subject to such conditions as the Secretary of State thinks fit. (5) Nothing in this section authorises a police authority to provide any financial assistance by—
  1. (a) making a grant or loan,
  2. (b) giving a guarantee or indemnity, or
  3. (c) investing by acquiring share or loan capital.
 (6) A police authority may make charges for advice or assistance provided by it under this section. (7) In its application in relation to the metropolitan police this section shall apply—
  1. (a) as if the power conferred by subsection (1) were conferred on the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis (and accordingly as if the references in subsections (1)(b) and (2) to a police authority were omitted), and
  2. (b) as if in subsection (6) the reference to a police authority were a reference to the Receiver for the Metropolitan Police District.
 (8) The provisions of this section are without prejudice to the Police (Overseas Service) Act 1945 and section 10 of the Overseas Development and Co-operation Act 1980.'—[Mr. Charles Wardle.]

Brought up, and read the First time.

Mr. Charles Wardle

I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.

Madam Speaker

With this, it will be convenient to discuss also the following: Government new clause 15—Reports from police authorities.

Government new clause 16—Police grant and other grants.

Government new clause 17—Regulations under section 33 of the 1964 Act.

Government amendments Nos. 34, 35, 24 to 29, 36, 37 and 30 to 33.

Mr. Wardle

The new clauses and consequential amendments deal with service overseas by British police officers. Their principal effect is to permit police officers from the United Kingdom to serve abroad not only with foreign Governments—which is already possible under existing legislation—but with international organisations such as the United Nations.

New clauses 14 and 15 relate to England and Wales, and new clauses 16 and 17 apply the same substantive provisions in Scotland. I commend them to the House.

Mr. David Trimble (Upper Bann)

If the Minister had spoken a little longer, I would have intervened. He said that the clauses would enable members of British police forces to serve overseas. Am I right in thinking that the clauses do not extend to the Royal Ulster Constabulary? Are there any proposals to enable members of that force to serve overseas, because it has an enormous wealth of experience that many countries would find relevant?

Mr. Charles Wardle

As I said, the new clauses apply to England, Wales and Scotland, but I understand that the provisions will extend to the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

Question put and agreed to.

Clause read a Second time, and added to the Bill.

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