§ Mr. FraserTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many lay visitors' schemes there are for police stations; whether he will now seek to put the schemes on a statutory basis; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggTwenty six lay visitor schemes have been approved in the Metropolitan police area, 18 of which are operating. In the rest of England and Wales, 34 police authorities are either operating or have indicated an intention to operate schemes. We have no plans to put the arrangements for lay visiting schemes on a statutory basis.