HL Deb 24 June 1998 vol 591 cc19-20WA
The Earl of Haddington

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Association of Chief Police Officers Ltd are subject to any scrutiny by the National Audit Office and, if not, why not; and [HL2281]

Whether the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis in his role as (a) a director and (b) an executive committee member of the Association of Chief Police Officers Ltd is accountable to the Home Secretary; and [HL2282]

To whom

  1. (a) the directors of the Association of Chief Police Officers Ltd who are executive committee members;
  2. (b) other executive committee members who are not directors; and
  3. (c) the other members of the Association of Chief Police Officers Ltd are accountable; and [HL2283]

Whether they will place in the Library of the House copies of all invoices which they have paid, with dates, to either the Association of Chief Police Officers or the Association of Chief Police Officers Ltd during the last five years. [HL2284]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Williams of Mostyn)

The Association of Chief Police Officers for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (ACPO) is not part of the Home Office or any other government department. The National Audit Office audits the accounts and examines the regularity and propriety of government expenditure. The Home Office contribution towards the expenses of ACPO is subject to scrutiny in common with all other government expenditure.

The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police is not accountable to the Home Secretary in either role. The officials of ACPO are accountable to the members of ACPO, and chief officers of police who are members of ACPO are locally accountable under existing arrangements.

The information requested on the invoices paid by the Home Office in respect of ACPO is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.