§ Mr. Grimondasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the costs of administering the police in Orkney and Shetland are expected to increase or decrease under the new proposals for amalgamation.
§ Mr. RossThe costs of the amalgamated force will depend on decisions taken by its joint police committee. I cannot therefore predict whether they will increase or decrease but I am confident that amalgamation will improve the efficiency of policing in the area.
§ Mr. Grimondasked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in view of the fact that for anyone to attend a meeting or do any business from Orkney and Shetland in Inverness, Edinburgh or London requires three days absence from home, what administrative advantages are expected from the amalgamation of the police.
§ Mr. RossThe administrative headquarters of the amalgamated Orkney, Shetland and Caithness force would be located within the police areas concerned. There would be no more need than at present to do business in Inverness, Edinburgh or London.
The advantages to be expected from the amalgamation of police forces are indicated in the final report of the Royal Commission on the Police (Cmnd. 1728).