HC Deb 01 February 1988 vol 126 cc425-6W
Mr. Campbell-Savours

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the issue to chief constables of a circular inviting them to apply to his Department for equipment denied to them by their respective police authorities was in exercise of power under prerogative of the Crown.

Mr. Hurd

The arrangements for the supply of equipment to chief officers of police set out in the circular were made in exercise of my powers which exist both under the Police Act 1964 and the royal prerogative. The Court of Appeal, in a unanimous judgment, has recently upheld the grounds on which I acted.