Policing in the 21st Century

John Bercow Excerpts

Monday 26th July 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. A great many hon. Members wish to take part, but there is important business to follow and there are real pressures on time. Single, short supplementary questions and brief replies are therefore required.

[Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington) (LD)]

Does the Home Secretary agree that the checks and balances that apply to elected police commissioners must be strong enough to stop populist politicians turning policing into their personal fiefdoms?

--- Later in debate ---

[Mrs May]

As I said in response to a number of earlier questions, we will publish figures on cost and the business case for the national crime agency in due course—and I am sorry the hon. Lady had to wait such a long time to ask that question.

[Mr Speaker]

I am grateful to all hon. and right hon. Members, including the Home Secretary whose pithiness enabled more than 40 colleagues to ask questions on the statement; that was very welcome.