§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what direction he has given to chief constables in relation to activities not related to their duties in managing and supervising the police force in their area, and the amount of time to be spent on such activities not related to the immediate duties for which they are employed; and if he will make a statement; [26809]
(2) if he will list for all chief constables the amount of time each has spent out of force over the past 12 months; where this has exceeded one week, what clearance has been given from the Home Office for such out-of-force activities; and if he will make a statement; [26810]
(3) what guidance he has given to chief constables and police authorities in relation to the amount of leave out of force for any one chief constable in a given 12-month period; what provision has been made for cover to be provided in the light of such absence; and if he will make a statement. [26811]
§ Mr. Maclean[holding answers 26 April 1996]: These matters are for chief constables and their police authorities to manage within the provisions of the Police Regulations 1995. During periods of absence, an assistant chief constable, who is designated under the terms of section 6 of the Police Act 1964, as amended by section 6 of the Police and Magistrates Courts' Act 1994, will exercise all the powers and duties of the chief constable.