My hon. Friend is quite right—there will chaos when the proposal is introduced. On the television last night, my chief constable made the point that there will be only one winner. There will be only one chief constable and one deputy, so four good deputies and four good chief constables...

My hon. Friend is quite right—there will chaos when the proposal is introduced. On the television last night, my chief constable made the point that there will be only one winner. There will be only one chief constable and one deputy, so four good deputies and four good chief constables...

That is a prescient intervention, as I was about to say that policing began as a civic duty in Elizabethan times. Then, as now, jury service was a civic duty and, the citizenry were also the police. My hon. Friend is right to raise the matter, because Sir Robert Peel’s...

That is a prescient intervention, as I was about to say that policing began as a civic duty in Elizabethan times. Then, as now, jury service was a civic duty and, the citizenry were also the police. My hon. Friend is right to raise the matter, because Sir Robert Peel’s...

No, the professor’s analysis was purely of the HMIC report. Given that it is constantly thrown at us as the justification for a revolution in British policing, it is pertinent that a politically neutral professor of statistics rubbishes the data. Even though he uses such extraordinarily colourful language, the Government...

No, the professor’s analysis was purely of the HMIC report. Given that it is constantly thrown at us as the justification for a revolution in British policing, it is pertinent that a politically neutral professor of statistics rubbishes the data. Even though he uses such extraordinarily colourful language, the Government...

I was pursuing another profession at the time of the miners’ strike and I am not qualified to speak about that. However, I am sure that there was collaboration. I am sure also that the hon. Gentleman makes a valid point. There has always been collaboration between forces. The issue...

I was pursuing another profession at the time of the miners’ strike and I am not qualified to speak about that. However, I am sure that there was collaboration. I am sure also that the hon. Gentleman makes a valid point. There has always been collaboration between forces. The issue...

It is a great honour and a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Stockton, North (Frank Cook). He made a second powerful speech, and spoke extremely well when he landed his debate in Westminster Hall. I endorse virtually everything that he has said today. He may have been out...

It is a great honour and a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Stockton, North (Frank Cook). He made a second powerful speech, and spoke extremely well when he landed his debate in Westminster Hall. I endorse virtually everything that he has said today. He may have been out...

My hon. Friend is being very generous with his time. He knows that one of Peel’s nine principles was that the police’s ability to perform their duties is dependent on public approval of police actions. Some 96 per cent. of respondents to a telephone poll in West Mercia, which the...

My hon. Friend is being very generous with his time. He knows that one of Peel’s nine principles was that the police’s ability to perform their duties is dependent on public approval of police actions. Some 96 per cent. of respondents to a telephone poll in West Mercia, which the...

I entirely agree with that. There is no question that the targets will be set by the Home Office; those targets will be set by conurbations that are big centres of population and big crime centres. The current efficient handling of crime matters and policing in areas such as that...

I entirely agree with that. There is no question that the targets will be set by the Home Office; those targets will be set by conurbations that are big centres of population and big crime centres. The current efficient handling of crime matters and policing in areas such as that...

The Minister has mentioned the Home Secretary’s role a couple of times. As we know, the Home Secretary represents a Scottish seat, and has no remit for policing in Scotland. Interestingly, a vigorous debate took place in the Labour party in Scotland. A party insider said"““We want police forces to...

The Minister has mentioned the Home Secretary’s role a couple of times. As we know, the Home Secretary represents a Scottish seat, and has no remit for policing in Scotland. Interestingly, a vigorous debate took place in the Labour party in Scotland. A party insider said"““We want police forces to...

Will the Minister give way?

Will the Minister give way?

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will amend the road traffic regulations so that a formal road closure order is not required by the police to close roads for carnivals and parades organised by charities. (Holding answer 15 June 2000).

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will amend the road traffic regulations so that a formal road closure order is not required by the police to close roads for carnivals and parades organised by charities. (Holding answer 15 June 2000).

Supplementary business question on police powers to close streets for parades and fetes.

Supplementary business question on police powers to close streets for parades and fetes.