§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if an independent member of a police authority has to resign immediately if elected to a new shadow unitary authority; and whether that person may continue to serve on the police authority until the vesting date. [24732]
§ Mr. MacleanThe interpretation of the law is a matter for the courts. Nevertheless, in our view a new shadow authority becomes a council for a district only when it assumes full powers on re-organisation date. If this view is shared by the courts, then an independent member of a police authority who is elected to a new shadow authority may continue to serve on the police authority until the date on which full powers are assumed by the new authority.