§ Mr. Gregoryasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he will take to amalgamate borough police forces who before 27th June, 1966, asked him for an extension of the period for consideration of the proposed amalgamation schemes; what considerations and replies he has given to local authorities who have asked him to suspend such amalgamation proposals in view of the impending report on the Royal Commission for Local Government, who have stated a preference for voluntary amalgamation in view of special local conditions and conurbation problems, and who have requested him to amend the Police Act, 1964, Section 1, subsections 1 and 2, to permit such voluntary amalgamations; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsI have extended the time for reply where local discussions are in progress, but for the reasons I have already explained I am convinced that the amalgamations are too urgent to await the report of the Royal Commission. As regards the last part of the Question, I have agreed to receive deputations from the Association of Municipal Corporations and the North Western County Boroughs' Association, but I do not think that the case for waiting until the Police Act has been amended has yet been made out.
§ Mr. Gregoryasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is 158W the number and percentage of borough police authorities who have at 27th June, 1966, intimated their willingness to enter into amalgamation schemes as proposed by him; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsThirteen county borough police authorities; or 22½ per cent. As regards the second part of the Question, I have nothing to add to the Answer which I gave to a Question by the hon. Member for St. Helens (Mr. Spriggs) on 30th June.