HC Deb 24 November 1992 vol 214 cc547-8W
Mr. Michael

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all the organisations and individuals he has(a) consulted and (b) invited to submit comments, suggestions or representations about the future structure and funding of police authorities in England and Wales; when their reports were received or are expected; and what process of consultation and discussion he intends to undertake.

Mr. Charles Wardle

No formal consultations have taken place nor have comments formally been invited. If changes are proposed, consultation will take place with those directly concerned.

Mr. Michael

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the individuals outside his Department who are advising his Department on the future structure and funding of police authorities in England and Wales; when their reports were received or are expected; and what process of consultation and discussion he intends to undertake.

Mr. Charles Wardle

[holding answer 23 November 1992]: It is Ministers, not officials, who are responsible for policy. It does not seem appropriate to give the names of individual officials advising Ministers when it is Ministers, not officials, who are responsible for decisions on policy. If changes are proposed, consultation will take place with those directly concerned.

Mr. Alex Carlile

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people aged(a) 16 to 21 years, (b) 22 to 30 years and (c) 31 to 45 years were arrested for possession of crack cocaine in (i) London and (ii) Wales in each year since 1989; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Jack

The table shows the number of people who have been dealt with for offences involving crack cocaine in London in 1990, 1991 and 1992. There were no persons dealt with in Wales in any year. Figures for actual arrest are not collected centrally.

Persons dealt with for offences involving "crack" London (Metropolitan and City police districts)
Age at time of disposal 1990 1991 11992
Up to 21 years 6 9 6
22–30 years 19 31 25
Over 31 years 10 30 23
Total 35 70 54
1 So far recorded.