§ 7.36 p.m.
§ LORD ILFORDMy Lords, I do not propose to move the Motion which stands in my name on the Order Paper as follows:
"That the Northampton and County Police (Amalgamation) Order 1965, laid before the House in draft on the 17th of November last, be not made".
§ It would not be right to assume from that that the Northampton Borough Council are more reconciled to the loss of their police force; they very much resent it. But I have had to make the best estimate I can of the feelings in your Lordships' House. I have come to the conclusion that I should not be justified in troubling your Lordships with this Motion. I must express my regret to the House for the late stage at which I reached this conclusion, but I hope that your Lordships, with your customary generosity towards such lapses, will recognise the difficulties of arriving at this decision at a time when the House has only just resumed its Sittings and in relation to a Motion the timing of which, to be effective, is strictly prescribed.
§ I think I ought to express my regret to any noble Lord who has come here looking forward to taking part in an interesting debate and who has been disappointed. All I can say, if there should be such a Member present, is that he might not have found the debate upon this subject as entertaining as he anticipated.
§ THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE, HOME OFFICE (LORD STONHAM)My Lords, I should like to thank the noble Lord, Lord Ilford, for his courtesy in explaining why he did not move his Motion. It is a matter of regret to me, of course, that I did not hear the speech he was to make, and no doubt to him that he has not heard the one which I would have made. But I hope he will accept my assurance that, so far as we are concerned, we are quite certain there will be no loss or suffering to the police force.