§ Lord Colwynasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have decided the future policing arrangements for Humberside.
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Blatch)My right honourable friend the Home Secretary announced in another place on 25 October (cols. 512–513) that he would consult the forces, police authorities and local authorities in the area on the future policing arrangements for Humberside and also ask Her Majesty's chief inspector of constabulary to report on the viability of a police force based on the boundaries of the four unitary authorities which will replace the county of Humberside.
The majority of those who responded favoured the retention of a separate Humberside police force. Her Majesty's chief inspector of constabulary considers that a force based on the boundaries of the four unitary authorities would be viable and efficient.
We have therefore decided that the Humberside force will be retained on those revised boundaries, with the area around Goole in the present district of Boothferry transferring to North Yorkshire.
The necessary provisions to give effect to this decision will be included in the order for the reorganisation of local government in the area.