Policing in the 21st Century

Debate between Baroness May of Maidenhead and Yvonne Fovargue

Monday 26th July 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mrs May]

The whole point of the structure that we are proposing is that, after May 2012, there will be directly elected police and crime commissioners who will set the budget and the strategic plan for the police, and ensure that the decisions being taken are in line with the interests of the people and with fighting crime.

[Yvonne Fovargue (Makerfield) (Lab)]

Given the amount of sensitive information to which the elected commissioners will have access, will they undergo security clearance before standing for election? What would happen after the election if they were elected without the appropriate level of clearance?

[Mrs May]

If the hon. Lady is implying that people who wish to stand for election should somehow be required to have security clearance, that is a new and interesting thought, but it is not one that I intend to pursue.