§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assessment he has made of the need for a police authority for London; [14440]
(2) if he will establish mechanisms whereby London council tax-payers can influence expenditure on the Metropolitan police. [14454]
§ Mr. MacleanIt is the Government's view that the Secretary of State should remain the police authority for the Metropolitan police district. Like other police authorities, the Secretary of State has overall responsibilities for the efficiency and effectiveness of the force. He answers to Parliament for those responsibilities.