Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Duncan Hames and Lord Herbert of South Downs

Monday 9th May 2011 Commons Chamber

[Duncan Hames (Chippenham) (LD)]

It will soon be 50 years since the last royal commission on policing, during which time the challenges faced by our police forces have changed dramatically, as have the expectations placed on them. Will the Minister consider the case for a fresh royal commission?

[Nick Herbert]

I think it was Harold Wilson who said that royal commissions take minutes and waste years. More recently, Her Majesty’s inspectorate of constabulary has said that there is no time for a royal commission. There are important and urgent decisions that we need to take in relation to police financing and enhancing accountability, which is what the Government intend to do.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Duncan Hames and Lord Herbert of South Downs

Monday 6th December 2010 Commons Chamber

[The Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice (Nick Herbert)]

The Government’s determination is to support police forces in England and Wales in making savings in the back and middle offices, by becoming more efficient, sharing services, improving IT, procuring together and so on so that they can protect the visible and available front-line policing that the public value.

[Duncan Hames (Chippenham) (LD)]

In relation to the use of control orders, the Government’s independent reviewer of terrorist legislation last week suggested that they should instead devise a new system. Will the Home Secretary heed his advice and replace them?