HC Deb 11 January 1995 vol 252 cc139-40W
Mr. Spearing

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what powers he has appointed his advisory committee for the Metropolitan police; how many of its members he has appointed directly, how many after the advice of the committee chairman and how many he has asked the chairman to appoint personally; how often he plans to meet the committee personally; how often he expects the committee to meet the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis; and if the agenda and minutes of the committee will be published.

Mr. Maclean

All the members of the Metropolitan Police Committee will be appointed by the Home Secretary, in consultation with the chairman. My right hon. and learned Friend expects to meet members of the committee personally from time to time, and for the committee to meet the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis or his representatives regularly. The committee's advice to Ministers will be confidential and it will be for the new committee to consider, once it is established, what reports it should make publicly available. My right hon. and learned Friend requires no specific power to appoint advisers.