§ Mr. Muddasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what represen- 126W tations he has received regarding the wish of Cornwall to leave the Devon and Cornwall Police Authority; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. R. CarrA letter from the Clerk of the Cornwall County Council was received on 10th November, informing me of a resolution of the council urging that after the reorganisation of local government the county should have its own police force.
My predecessor proposed that the existing amalgamation for police purposes of the counties of Devon and Cornwall should continue after the reorganisation of local government. The county council were informed of this proposal in March, 1971. A reply is being sent to the county council to the effect that I stand by this proposal, since in my view it would be contrary to the interests of police efficiency for the force to be split up.