§ Mr. BeithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research his Department has undertaken on the relative levels and methods of policing in European Union countries; and if he will make a statement. [70321]
§ Mr. BoatengThe Home Office Police Research Group carried out a major review of the size and structure of overseas police forces for the Sheehy Inquiry into Police Responsibilities and Rewards in 1993. The report "Approaches to Rank Structure and Pay in Police Forces: an International Survey" covered the size, rank and career structure, pay and retirement regulations in 14 countries, including many in the European Union. No research on the relative levels and methods of policing in European Union countries has been commissioned by the Home 505W Office since, although we do maintain good links and regularly exchange information on policing with our European Union partners.