Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Home Office

Oral Answers to Questions

David Ruffley Excerpts
Monday 7th March 2011

(13 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Baroness Featherstone Portrait Lynne Featherstone
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I think we would encourage the big society to get involved at all levels, but as the hon. Lady says, victim care is extremely important. We are providing accommodation and advocacy and all the things that are necessary to help the unfortunate victims of trafficking out of their terrible situation.

David Ruffley Portrait Mr David Ruffley (Bury St Edmunds) (Con)
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The previous Government’s figures demonstrate that only one hour in seven was spent on patrol by the average patrol officer. Given the Government’s anti-bureaucracy reforms, will the Home Secretary advise us on her view of the number of hours the average patrol officer will spend on the beat?

Baroness May of Maidenhead Portrait Mrs May
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We are absolutely clear, as my right hon. Friend the Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice said in response to a previous question, that we want the visibility and availability of police officers to increase and improve. The latest figures from Her Majesty’s inspectorate of constabulary show that 11% of officers are visible and available at any one time—[Interruption.] Before we get chuntering from Opposition Members, that is not to say that other police officers are wasting their time—of course they are not—but visibility and availability need to improve.