Written question asked by Christopher Fraser (Conservative) on Thursday, 15 December 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 19 December 2005. It was answered by Liam Byrne (Labour) on Tuesday, 16 May 2006 on behalf of the Home Office.

Police

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with members of the Norfolk constabulary and the Norfolk police authority regarding the possible creation of strategic forces in the Eastern region.

Answer: Following the former Home Secretary’s (Charles Clarke) letter dated 22 September 2005 inviting forces and authorities to develop options for changes Norfolk police force and authority;"(i) In early November 2005 the Home Secretary provided feedback to the initial short list of options developed by the force and authority.""(ii) The Home Secretary met with Norfolk constabulary’s chief and chair on 20 March to discuss the findings of assessments undertaken on its Business Case submitted in December 2005."Norfolk police authority wrote to the Home Secretary on 11 April 2006 requesting voluntary merger with Suffolk and Cambridgeshire police forces.

Secondary information