§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations he has received urging the merger of a police force in England and Wales with another since taking office; and how many have been received by his Department in each of the past 10 years.
§ Mr. Charles WardleMy right hon. and learned Friend has not received any representations urging the merger of a police force in England and Wales since taking office; nor have any such representations been received by this Department in the last three years. Details of correspondence from between three and five years ago could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Correspondence on this subject dating back over five years has been destroyed. It is normal departmental practice not to retain records dating back over five years unless they are considered to be of long-term significance.
§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement giving all the evidence available to him on which he based his decision to change the current procedure for amalgamation of police forces; and if he will place copies of all supporting papers and correspondence in the Library.
§ Mr. Charles Wardle[holding answer 20 May 1993]: My right hon. and learned Friend proposes to simplify the statutory procedure relating to the amalgamation of police forces because he thinks that, if any amalgamations under existing leglislation were to be considered, the procedures 341W would lead to protracted delay and uncertainty for the police forces concerned and would be detrimental to police performance.