§ 19. Mr. Pagetasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the County Borough of Northampton requesting him to reconsider the question of amalgamation of the borough and county police forces now that a decision has been taken to double the size of Northampton borough; and what reply he is sending.
§ Sir F. SoskiceI have carefully considered representations made to me by the Watch Committee that the amalgamation scheme should be withdrawn in view of the Government's decision to expand Northampton, but I have decided that the scheme should be made in the interests of police efficiency. I am accordingly consulting the police authorities concerned about the terms of a draft scheme, which I shall in due course lay before Parliament.