HC Deb 02 May 1939 vol 346 cc1705-6W
Mr. T. Morris

asked the Home Secretary whether in view of the reports for 1938 of the Inspectors of Constabulary for England and Wales, he can state whether any progress has been made in the merging of small police forces and in the reorganisation of many others?

Sir S. Hoare

No voluntary arrangements for the merging of small police forces have been made in recent years, and it has not been found possible to introduce legislation to provide for compulsory amalgamations. As regards the second part of the question, the organisa- tion of all police forces is constantly under review, and many developments are taking place, some of which are referred to in the reports of His Majesty's Inspectors of Constabulary.