§ Lord SEFTON of GARSTONMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will give an assurance that it is not their intention to weaken any further the involvement of democratic local government in the control and administration of the police services, and whether they will state categorically that they are opposed to a centralised national police force.
§ The PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY of STATE, HOME OFFICE (Lord Belstead)My Lords, the Government have no plans to change the statutory basis under which police forces are maintained. In particular, the Government have no intention of setting up a national police force.
§ Lord SEFTON of GARSTONMy Lords, while thanking the Minister for that Answer, may I press him a little further, because I am sure he will agree that some concern is being expressed in local authorities throughout the country, particularly in the North-West and North-East, about statements being made in the official side of the Police Service? Would he agree to enter into discussions with local authorities to restore some of the confidence of local authority members in the present administration of the Police Service?
§ Lord BELSTEADMy Lords, we are always ready to talk to local authorities, and indeed the machinery is there for my right honourable friend to do that.
1138 Whereas chief officers have the direction and control of their forces, police authorities are primarily statutorily responsible for maintaining an adequate and efficient force for their area. That is a weighty responsibility and, I reiterate to the noble Lord, one which the Government have no intention of changing.