§ 21. Mr. Grimondasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to relieve the police of some of their less essential duties so that they may return to the beat and perform their main task of protecting law-abiding citizens and their property.
§ Mr. BrittanIt is for each chief officer of police to decide priorities for his force, and the best methods to be used in the particular areas covered by the force. But we shall certainly support all steps to ensure that police officers are used to best effect on the specific duties for which they have been trained.