HC Deb 29 October 1985 vol 84 cc406-8W
Mr. Soley

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what responses have been received from the Greater London council, London boroughs and district councils and local authority associations concerning the central structure of the reorganisation of the Metropolitan police; and how many responses were favourable and how many unfavourable.

Mr. Giles Shaw

The commissioner tells me that since he announced the broad outline of his proposals for reorganising the Metropolitan police in November 1984, he has received some 20 representations from borough and district councils, local authority associations and the Greater London Council. Among the points raised were the absence of external consultation before the announcement and the effect of the abolition of districts on community/police consultative arrangements. Assurances were also sought about the commissioner's intention to consult on the detail of the reorganisation.

As part of his commitment to consult widely on the implementation of the reorganisation, the commissioner earlier this year sought the views of all right hon. and hon. Members for constituencies wholly or partly within the Metropolitan police district, of borough and district councils and of community/police consultative groups on the proposed introduction of the eight new areas. He tells me that of the 63 per cent. who responded, 59 per cent. expressed agreement with the proposal; 7 per cent. agreed with reservations; 19 per cent. made no specific comment but expressed no objection; 6 per cent. either asked for further information or were unable to respond before consulting others; and 9 per cent. disagreed.

Mr. Soley

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which organisations, companies, staff associations, and trades unions were consulted concerning reorganisation of the Metropolitan police prior to November 1984; what comments or reports were received; and which of them he has made available to hon. Members.

Mr. Giles Shaw

The commissioner informs me that he took advice from the following police forces and outside organisations:

  • Marks and Spencer
  • Shell International
  • Unilever
  • G.K.N.
  • MacDonalds
  • Corning Glass
  • British Leyland
  • McKinseys
  • Chloride
  • Ellerman Lines
  • I.C.L.
  • National Coal Board
  • I.C.I.
  • Prime Ministers Efficiency Unit
  • H.M. Treasury
  • H.M. Treasury (Staff Inspection and Evaluation Division)
  • Home Office (Scientific Research and Development Branch)
  • Home Office (Police Research Services Unit)
  • Ministry of Defence
  • Army (Northern Ireland and S.E. Command)
  • British Institute of Management
  • Institute of Management Services
  • Association of Teachers of Management
  • Oxford Regional Management Centre
  • South West Regional Management Centre
  • Anglian Regional Management Centre
  • Police Staff College
  • F.B.I. Academy, Quantico
  • Management Seminar, Boston, Massachusetts
  • Police Foundation
  • London Business School
  • University College London
  • Polytechnic of Central London
  • North East London Polytechnic

United Kingdom Police Forces

  • Avon and Somerset
  • Derbyshire
  • Devon and Cornwall
  • Hampshire
  • Humberside
  • Lancashire
  • Leicestershire
  • Northamptonshire
  • Nottinghamshire
  • Strathclyde
  • Sussex
  • West Midlands
  • West Yorkshire

Other Police Forces

  • Dallas
  • California Highway Patrol
  • Los Angeles
  • New York
  • San Diego
  • Sweden
  • Netherlands
  • Hong Kong

These organisations were approached during the research stage of the commissioner's review of the force organisation and management, and their advice was sought in a series of interviews with representatives who had particular expertise and experience in the management of large organisations. The commissioner informs me that no records were made of those interviews and no reports received.

The police staff associations and the civil staff trades unions were first informed of the reorganisation proposals in November 1984.