Metropolitan Police (Hansard, 19 December 1984)

§ Mr. Corbyn
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide for the latest available date (i) a breakdown of the number of police officers in the Metropolitan police by division and rank, (ii) a breakdown of the number of civilian personnel in the Metropolitan police by division and type of work, (iii) a breakdown of the number of police officers currently working at district level by district and rank, (iv) a breakdown of the number of police officers currently working at area level by area and rank and (v) a breakdown of the number of police officers currently working at headquarters level by branch and rank.

§ Mr. Giles Shaw
I shall write to the hon. Member.

§ Mr. Corbyn
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide in relation to the proposed reorganisation of the Metropolitan police (i) a breakdown of the number of police officers working at headquarters level by department and rank after initial reorganisation in January 1985 and (ii) an indication of the proportion of Metropolitan police officers to be employed at headquarters level, area level and divisional level after the reorganisation is complete.

§ Mr. Giles Shaw
Initial reorganisation will involve changes in lines of command but no redeployment of officers within headquarters or from headquarters to areas or divisions. There will thereafter be a progressive redeployment from headquarters to areas and divisions over a period of at least two years. The details of this reorganisation will be subject to consultation and it is not possible to give figures at this stage.

§ Mr. Corbyn
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will issue a statement in the light of the proposed reorganisation of the Metropolitan police and of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act consultation procedures, advising London local authorities as to whom in the Metropolitan police they should consult within each borough during and after reorganisation.

§ Mr. Giles Shaw
Under section 106 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act it will be the Commissioner's duty to make consultative arrangements in the metropolis. In doing so he will be required to consult London borough and district councils as to the particular arrangements that would be appropriate for each borough or district, or part of a district which falls within the Metropolitan police district. The Commissioner will consult the councils in the light of the progress that has been made with the force reorganisation at the time, and of the need to avoid unnecessary disruption to existing consultative groups which conform to the guidance which my right hon. and learned Friend will be issuing to him under the Act. In the meantime, councils should continue to liaise with district commanders.