HC Deb 24 January 1968 vol 757 cc145-6W
Mr. Ford

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what considerations led him to allow the city of Bradford to opt out of the proposed amalgamation of police forces in the West Riding; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Callaghan

I am sorry that the Bradford Watch Committee reversed their earlier decision to amalgamate with six other police authorities in the West Riding. It is, however, possible that those other authorities, covering a large part of the geographical county, will proceed with a voluntary amalgamation scheme. In the circumstances of this particular area I therefore thought it right to inform all the authorities that if a satisfactory scheme were submitted to me quickly I would not consider it necessary to use my powers of compulsion. pectant and nursing mothers in each of the last five years;

(3) what proportion of National Health Service prescriptions were issued to children under the age of 15 years in each of the last five years.

Mr. K. Robinson

I regret that the information is not available.