§ Lord Rentonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What guidance is to be issued by the Home Office on the establishment of the new fire and police authorities proposed in the Local Government Bill.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Glenarthur)We are making arrangements to issue to interested parties a consultative memorandum on the establishment of the new joint fire and joint police authorities. The memorandum, copies of which are being placed in the Library and Printed Paper Office, is primarily directed to those councillors who will be acquiring responsibilities in relation to the police and fire services from 1st April 1986. It describes the action required to ensure that the transition is handled effectively and that the most economic and efficient structure is put into place. The Home Office will be glad to join in discussions at regional level on the new arrangements and to assist in implementation planning by the London boroughs and metropolitan districts which should now be proceeding.