§ Dr. KumarTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to increase the proportion of elected representatives on police authorities in England; and if he will make a statement. [81849]
§ Mr. BoatengThe Government have no plans to change the proportion of elected representatives on police authorities. The elected representatives (councillor members appointed by local councils) have a majority of one over the combined total of magistrate members and independent members. I am satisfied that these non-elected members have skills and experience which are of benefit to police authorities. Police authorities have been established in their present form only since 1995, and some of them have had to re-form themselves as a result of local government reorganisation. I do not think it would be helpful to subject them to further change at this time.