Police Federation

Debate between Baroness Browning and Lord Hughes of Woodside

Thursday 15th September 2011 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Browning]

When I reply to the noble Lord, Lord Richard, I would be very happy to place a copy in the Library of the House.

[Lord Hughes of Woodside]

Will the Minister, for whom I have the highest regard, have a word with her private office and her advisers? The questions posed by my noble friends Lord Morris and Lord Richard clearly should have been anticipated. She has been badly advised and put in a difficult position. She should sort her private office out.

[Baroness Browning]

I hesitate to criticise my civil servants. It is not something that I would wish to do. In terms of the issues around police federations, the substance of the Question was not specifically about that consultation. It was about how much contact Ministers had had with the Police Federation, which I answered in terms. As I have explained, I am very happy to write to the noble Lord because I do not know off the top of my head what opportunities or attempts there were for any consultation specifically on that issue. But I will inform the House in writing and it will be a substantive reply.