§ 51. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for reports from chief constables in order to discover what is the present shortage of motor bicycles and other vehicles and of signals equipment required by chief officers of police; and what steps are being taken, and 315W funds provided, to make this shortage good.
§ Mr. George ThomasIt is for the police authority to provide and maintain such vehicles and equipment as may be required for police purposes in their area. H.M. Inspectors of Constabulary report to my right hon. and learned Friend any deficiencies they find in the course of their inspections, and he brings these to the attention of the police authority. In addition, chief constables who obtain their wireless equipment through my Department already provide regular reports of their requirements, for which £815,000 has been provided in this financial year. Expenditure on vehicles and other equipment is defrayed from the local police fund.