Oral Answers to Questions

John Bercow Excerpts

Monday 28th June 2010 Commons Chamber

[James Brokenshire]

It is interesting that the hon. Lady suggests that regulation is not required, because her Government established the interim CCTV regulator, thereby accepting that regulation is required and that the matter needs to be examined carefully. It is all very well for her to talk as if this issue has suddenly arisen, but she and her Government recognised the situation when they were in government. We will ensure that proportionate and relevant regulation is brought forward that will enable CCTV systems to be established by local communities in an appropriate way—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I would be grateful if we could make some progress.

[Elizabeth Truss (South West Norfolk) (Con)]

16. What plans she has to tackle serious and organised crime; and if she will make a statement.

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[Mr Speaker]

Order. I have had no indication of that grouping. There is a practice now developing of this happening spontaneously. It really will not do. We shall see how it goes today. I call the Minister.

[Nick Herbert]

I apologise, Mr Speaker. I refer my hon. Friend the Member for Hastings and Rye (Amber Rudd) to the answer that I gave some moments ago.

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[Nick Herbert]

I should say to the hon. Gentleman that we do not recognise those figures. Our policy is that we want to do everything possible to enable chief constables to prioritise the front line and maintain police officers out in the neighbourhoods, where the public want to see them. To do that, we must ensure that we reduce bureaucracy.

[Mr Speaker]

Order. No blame is imputed to the hon. Member for Pudsey (Stuart Andrew). It is simply that the grouping of his question with Question 19 was not something of which I had notice, and it is not a grouping to which I would ordinarily agree, for reasons of progress down the Order Paper.

[Alun Michael (Cardiff South and Penarth) (Lab/Co-op)]

T1. If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities.

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[Several hon. Members]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. There is very little time left, so we need exceptionally short questions and short answers.

[Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab)]

The Home Secretary referred earlier to the problem with some CCTV cameras in Birmingham. I understand that more than £3 million has been spent on cameras that are now covered with plastic bags. Does she intend to unmask the bureaucrat who is responsible for that fiasco?