§ Vera BairdTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police authorities employ chief executives. [134249]
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 27 October 2003]: Section 16 of the Police Act 1996 allows each police authority to appoint a clerk to the authority. It is a matter for each police authority to decide if the postholder is termed a chief executive. We do not hold information on this centrally.
§ Vera BairdTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which police authorities have(a) a portfolio structure around themes of community leadership, performance appraisal and strategy development and similar areas of activity and (b) a panel structure. [134250]
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 27 October 2003]: Section 6(1) of the Police Act 1996 lays upon police authorities the responsibility for securing and maintaining an efficient and effective police force for its area. How the authority organises internally to achieve this, is a local matter for the authorities themselves and not for central Government. Accordingly, there is no information held centrally by the Home Office on the internal structure of each authority.
§ Vera BairdTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his model internal structure for a local police authority. [134252]
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 27 October 2003]: The 43 local police authorities have the overarching responsibility to secure and maintain an efficient and effective police force for their area.
How police authorities decide to structure the organisation is a matter for the authorities themselves in accordance with local circumstances. It would not be appropriate for central Government to provide a model structure for police authorities.