Departmental Responsibility (Hansard, 25 April 1983)

§ Mr. Whitelaw

We have greatly strengthened the police service. Since May 1979 the total strength in England and Wales has increased by 9,453 to 120,946 at the end of February 1983. During the same period the Metropolitan police has increased by 4,258 to 26,483. This growth has progressively enabled the return of police officers to beat duty.

Public support for the police is essential. After a period of intensive consultation, I issued guidance in June 1982 on consultation arrangements between the community and the police designed to encourage full discussion of issues of local concern and to strengthen community action in support of the police, especially in tackling crime. Steps are in hand to foster crime prevention programmes between the police, other agencies and the public.

The Government have assisted the police service in tackling serious disorder and in avoiding injuries to police officers by making available new protective equipment and supporting a thorough re-examination of training and tactics.

In light of Lord Scarman's report, my Department has taken forward, in conjunction with the police and local authorties, a thorough review of police training including new programmes better to equip officers to deal with all sections of the public in a sensitive and effective way; better preparations for new entrants on their responsibilities as police officers; and on enhancement of the training given to other ranks of the service.

The Police and Criminal Evidence Bill, now before the House, modernises and clarifies the powers available to the police for the investigation of crime, and, at the same time, provides new safeguards for the citizen. It rationalises and modernises the law on evidence in criminal proceedings. It brings forward new arrangements for dealing with complaints against the police, strengthening the independent element in the investigation of serious complaints and enabling the informal resolution of minor cases. It provides a legal framework for police/community consultation.

We have given priority to the powers of the courts and the resources of the services dealing with offenders. The Criminal Justice Act 1982 enhances the powers of the courts to deal with offenders, in particular those under 21. The law on the fixed penalty system has been extended to allow the burden imposed on the police and magistrates' courts by traffic offences to be reduced.

The number of probation officers in field posts has increased from 4,673 on 30 June 1979 to 5,134 on 31 December 1982; over the same period the number of probation ancillaries increased from 788 to 1,074. We have opened 43 new attendance centres, including 13 senior centres.

We have continued the policy of rationalising the criminal law by new legislation on criminal attempts (which included the repeal of the "sus" law) and on forgery and counterfeiting.

We have enabled local authorities to control the spread of sex shops and sex cinemas and have given assistance to measures designed to restrict indecent displays and to extend licensing controls to commercial cinema clubs.

210W

We have strengthened and clarified the powers of the criminal courts in respect of compensation orders. We have revised the criminal injuries compensation scheme and have given financial support to the National Association of Victims support schemes.

Following the report of the May Committee, we have completed a major reorganisation of the Prison Department. We have also continued to identify and develop methods of improving both operational efficiency and the use and management of resources.

We have substantially increased the number of serving prison officers. At the beginning of 1979 there were 15,714 prison officers in post. By April 1984 we are providing for 18,064: an increase of 2,351 or 15 per cent. in five years.

We have undertaken a major programme of building new prisons. With an increased programme of maintenance and refurbishment and better use of accommodation, we have provided 2,000 additional places over the last 2 years. We have introduced the tougher regimes pilot project in four detention centres.

We have maintained a strict immigration control on the basis of the comprehensive revision of the immigration rules completed in 1980. The number of immigrants accepted for settlement has fallen and in 1982 was lower than in any year since immigration control was imposed on Commonwealth citizens in 1962. The British Nationality Act 1981 has brought nationality law up to date and defined for the first time those who belong to this country and as British citizens are exempt from immigration control. We have continued our efforts to promote good community relations and to create a society in which individuals can share equal opportunities, rights and responsibilities.

In accordance with the provisions of the Broadcasting Act 1981, a fourth television channel has been established and new arrangements made for Welsh broadcasting. The Government have announced plans for the establishment of a cable authority to promote the development of cable systems, providing both entertainment and interactive services, and for the introduction by 1986 of a service of direct broadcasting by satellite. Local radio has greatly expanded and I have indicated the Government's willingness to consider proposals for an independent national radio service.

I have introduced a legalised citizens band service, and in accordance with the recommendations in the interim report of an independent review of the radio spectrum from 30 to 960 MHz have decided that additional radio frequencies should be allocated to land mobile radio.

We have introduced a Data Protection Bill to eable the United Kingdom to ratify the Council of Europe convention on this matter.

We have carried out a review of civil defence measures, significantly increased expenditure in this field and improved our arrangements generally.

The Home Office has played its full part in the Government's plans to reduce civil service manpower, particularly by contracting work out to the private sector.