§ Miss WiddecombeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his plans to allow civilians to carry out policing and detection tasks. [5782]
§ Mr. DenhamTwo key objectives of the police reform programme are to ensure modern working practices and the highest standards of detective capability. Civilians already carry out many tasks in support of policing and there is potential for them to do more. Issues about how the reform process might be used to develop the part civilians play within policing remain under discussion with representatives of the service.