§ Mr. Soleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the current arrangements for maintaining computerised payroll facilities for police services in the Metropolitan police area; and what arrangements he proposes to make for the continuation of such facilities following the abolition of the metropolitan counties.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe provision of payroll services to metropolitan county police forces is the responsibility of the police authorities for those forces and it will, therefore, be for the new joint boards, which would be created by the Local Government Bill, to secure the provision of these services after the abolition of the metropolitan county councils. We propose to use the powers which clause 80 of the Bill would provide for the first three years after abolition so as to ensure that these and other support services are provided effectively and economically.