HC Deb 21 December 1999 vol 341 c485W
Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what changes have been made since May 1997 to reduce the amount of administrative work undertaken by police officers; and if he will make a statement; [103325]

(2) what is the estimated proportion of a police officer's working day which is spent on administrative duties; and if he will make a statement. [103324]

Mr. Charles Clarke

The deployment of police officers is the operational responsibility of Chief Constables. Information on the tasks undertaken by police officers during the course of their working day is not held centrally.

For measures to reduce administrative burdens I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave the hon. Member for Surrey Heath (Mr. Hawkins) on 6 December 1999, Official Report, column 377W.