§ Mr. D. Williamsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has considered a communication from the Association of Municipal Corporations about the Police Bill; what was the nature of the communication; and what reply he has made, or proposes to make, to this association.
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§ Mr. EdeI assume that my hon. Friend has in mind a letter from the Secretary of the Association of Municipal Corporations, dated 30th October, giving the terms of a resolution passed at a conference of borough police authorities held on that day. The resolution asked that further consideration of the Police Bill should not take place until a conference had been held between representatives of the Association and the Home Secretary. A reply was sent to the Secretary of the Association on 1st November informing them that I had taken note of the terms of the resolution, and that I would be glad to receive a deputation; and suggesting a date for the meeting.
§ Mr. D. Williamsasked the Secretary of State for the HomeDepartment how many non-county boroughs have made representations to him about the Police Bill; what he proposes to do about these representations; and whether he will give the authorities concerned, and the police forces affected, the opportunity of stating their views to his Department.
§ Mr. EdeI have so far received representations about the Police Bill from the police authorities of three non-county boroughs. I shall certainly give full consideration to these representations, and to any further representations which may be submitted to me, either orally or in writing, by the police authorities concerned. As regards the police forces themselves, I have informed the representative bodies of the various ranks that I am prepared to arrange for discussion with them on the proposals in the Bill.