§ Sir Ivan LawrenceTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress is being made on the parish constable initiative; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HowardCommitments have been received from police forces and communities to 38 schemes. Twenty of these schemes will be evaluated by the Home Office.
I am greatly encouraged by the response to this initiative, which has been very positive. Communities and police forces all over the country are engaged in a constructive process of consultation. I expect to be in a position to give an account of progress on a force by force basis early in the spring.