HC Deb 11 November 1971 vol 825 c224W
78. Dame Irene Ward

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give an assurance that he will approve no further reorganisation of the police force in connection with local government reform without parliamentary authorisation.

Mr. Maudling

I propose that police areas should be based on the new county areas and that each new county should have its own police force except where a new county would have insufficient resources to secure efficient policing on modern standards. The necessary amendments to the Police Act, 1964, are incorporated in the Local Government Bill which is now before Parliament.

Mr. Lomas

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the Police Federation West Riding Constabulary concerning local government reorganisation; and what reply he has sent.

Mr. Maudling

That the proposed metropolitan areas of West and South Yorkshire should be combined for police purposes and that their representations would be taken into account in further consideration of the matter.