§ Dr. WrightTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the gross public spending on police authorities for each year since 1990–91, in 1996–97 prices. [21812]
§ Mr. MacleanI will write to the hon. Member.
§ Dr. WrightTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the statutory basis of police authorities and if they(a) admit members of the public to board or committee meetings and (b) hold open meetings for the public; and whether in each case this is under statutory requirement. [21769]
§ Mr MacleanPolice authorities, free-standing of local government, were established by provisions in the Police and Magistrates Courts Act 1994, now consolidated in the Police Act 1996. They, their committees and sub-committees, continue to be bound by provisions in the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, requiring meetings to be open to the public.