HC Deb 21 December 1982 vol 34 cc426-7W
Mr. Philip Holland

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list in the Official Report in respect of the Police Complaints Board the number of staff currently employed, the cost of staff remuneration and the number of meetings held in the past 12 months by the appointed members.

Mr. Mayhew

The information available for the most recent period of 12 months is contained in the board's 1981 report, a copy of which is in the Library. I understand that appointed members meet quarterly.

Mr. Philip Holland

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what practical steps he has taken to establish that the Police Complaints Board is doing its work effectively, efficiently, and with economy, and that it will continue to fulfil a useful purpose in accordance with the requirement stated in "Non-Departmental Public Bodies: A Guide for Departments", after his proposed reorganisation has taken place.

Mr. Whitelaw

I review the board's work regularly, partly by means of the published annual reports which, under section 8 of the Police Act 1976, it must submit to me, and copies of which are placed in the Library. I would not have proposed augmenting the board's functions in the recent White Paper on "Police Complaints Procedures", Cmnd. 8681, and in the Police and Criminal Evidence Bill if I did not believe that it would continue to fulfil a useful purpose.