HC Deb 22 March 1967 vol 743 cc261-2W
65. Mr. John Robertson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions have taken place regarding the amalgamation of police forces in Renfrew-shire and Bute; and what was the result of the discussions.

Mr. Ross

My hon. Friend the Minister of State met representatives of the County of Renfrew and of the Burghs of Paisley and Greenock on 17th March. Good progress was made, and I now hope that the police authorities will be able to submit a scheme in time for the amalgamation to come into operation on 16th August, 1967.

Mr. John Robertson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the basis of representation on the body set up to consider the question of the amalgamation of police forces in Renfrewshire and Bute; which local authorities will be represented; and what will be the numbers from each authority.

Mr. Ross

I understand that the police authorities have not set up formal negotiating machinery for this purpose. Eventually of course a joint police committee will be established under the amalgamation scheme. The representatives of the police authorities who met my hon. Friend the Minister of State on 17th March agreed to recommend that places on the joint committee should be allocated as follows: Renfrewshire 10, Bute 1, Paisley 5, Greenock 4.