§ Mr. Oakesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police amalgamation schemes have now been agreed; and how many and which ones are not yet settled.
§ Mr. James Callaghan23 schemes have been made by voluntary agreement between the police authorities and one by compulsory order. One further scheme (relating to West Yorkshire) is expected to be made by voluntary agreement within the next few days. Discussions on a voluntary scheme for Durham, Gateshead and South Shields are proceeding.
The remaining five schemes, out of 30 which have been proposed, have reached various stages in the compulsory process. I hope to lay before Parliament before the Recess draft orders relating to the amalgamation proposals for Lancashire and thirteen boroughs and for Essex and Southend.
A public inquiry into objections to the Glamorgan, Cardiff, Swansea and 117W Merthyr Tydfil scheme is now being held, and an inquiry into objections to the Northumberland, Newcastle and Tyne-mouth scheme is being arranged.
In the remaining proposal—affecting Warwickshire and Coventry—I am awaiting a response from these authorities to the statutory notice of intention to make a compulsory scheme, which was served recently.