HC Deb 01 February 2001 vol 362 c267W
Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what considerations led him to reintroduce the rank of chief superintendent. [148170]

Mr. Charles Clarke

The Criminal Justice and Police Bill currently before Parliament includes provision for the reintroduction of the rank of chief superintendent.

My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary gave approval for the rank of chief superintendent to be reintroduced at the earliest legislative opportunity following consultation with police service interests and on the recommendation of the Police Advisory Board (PAB). The PAB view was that the abolition of the rank from 1 April 1995 had led to operational and management difficulties.