HC Deb 27 January 1986 vol 90 cc373-4W
Mr. Kaufman

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the estimates he has received from chief constables or police authorities of the additional costs arising from implementation of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 for each police force area in England and Wales.

Mr. Giles Shaw

In the long term the Act is intended to be broadly neutral as regards resources. My right hon. Friend has, however, agreed to adjustments in force establishments in a number of cases, for reasons associated in part with the requirements of the Act. The estimates and information which he has received from chief constables and police authorities have not been confined solely to additional costs arising specifically from implementation.

The substantial training requirement for all serving police officers has now been completed, and new recruits are being taught the procedures in the Act as part of their basic training, instead of the complex of separate statutory and informal provisions which their predecessors had to learn.

Mr. Kaufman

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a statement of the estimates he has received of the additional costs arising in respect of magistrates' courts in England and Wales from implementation of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act.

Mr. Mellor

Minor additional costs will arise as the result of the occasional need to hold courts outside normal office hours. Any expenditure of this kind will be marginal, and no separate estimates are available.