HL Deb 03 April 2003 vol 646 cc1509-10

1 Clause I, page 1, line 12, after "Constable", insert—

  1. "(aa) the Ombudsman;
  2. (ab) the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission;
  3. (ac) the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland;"

Lord Williams of Mostyn

My Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 1.

Amendment No. 3, along with Clauses 1, 2 and 17, deals with the balancing of the tripartite policing relationship between the Policing Board, the Chief Constable and the Secretary of State. In effect, Amendments Nos. 1, 2 and 3 make two changes. Primarily, they require the Secretary of State to carry out wider consultation before determining or revising codes of practice or long-term policing objectives. At the moment he has to consult with the board with a view to obtaining its agreement and with the Chief Constable and such others as he thinks appropriate regarding any proposed code of practice or long-term policing objectives. Under the amendments proposed, these consultation processes would be expanded, making it a statutory requirement that the Secretary of State should also consult with the Police Ombudsman, the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.

The proposed arrangements do not upset the existing balance. Rather they recognise the valuable contribution and input that the tripartite policing relationship brings about. They simply require the Secretary of State to consult more widely.

The amendments separate out the consultation arrangements for issuing and revising codes of practice from those dealing with setting and revising long-term objectives. Codes of practice are now dealt with under the new clause proposed by Amendment No. 3, while Clause 1 now deals specifically with the consultation arrangements for long-term policing objectives. Amendment No. 2 is a consequential amendment enabling this separation to be made.

Were the noble Lord, Lord Glentoran, to be in any lingering doubt, I ask him not to move Amendment No. 1A.

Moved, That the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 1.—(Lord Williams of Mostyn.)

[Amendment No. IA not moved.]

On Question, Amendment No. I agreed to.