Mr. Edward M. Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made in police amalgamations in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. RossOf the five schemes of amalgamation, affecting 16 forces, which I proposed on 6th July, 1966, two affecting eight forces, were brought into operation on 16th August, 1967. From that date the forces of Airdrie, Coatbridge, Hamilton, Motherwell and Wishaw and the County of Lanarkshire combined to form the Lanarkshire Constabulary; and the forces of Paisley, Greenock and the counties of Renfrew and Bute combined to form the Renfrew and Bute Constabulary.
A draft of an Order effecting the amalgamation of the Ayr County, Ayr Burgh and Kilmarnock forces is now lying before Parliament.
A public inquiry was held in Inverness in December last into the objections to my proposed scheme for the amalgamation of the Inverness Burgh and County forces. I understand that the report of the inquiry will be forwarded to me later this week.
A public inquiry will open on 19th March in Lerwick into the objections to the remaining scheme for the amalgamation of the Caithness, Orkney and Zetland forces.