Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Ackner (Crossbench). It was answered on Tuesday, 24 January 2006.

Police Authorities: Proposed Mergers

Question: My Lords, I ask the Question with a little more than that thin veneer of confidence which characterises the few that I put before your Lordships. I do so because my noble and learned friend the Lord Chancellor gave an undertaking to the Western Circuit in July 2004 that, while he was Lord Chancellor, Hampshire would remain part of the Western Circuit. I ask whether he is prepared to abide by that assurance and whether the Government, mutatis mutandis, will do likewise.

Answer: My Lords, the noble and learned Lord will know that my noble and learned friend the Lord Chancellor always delivers on his promises where he is so able. The Hampshire force and authority submitted a case in December 2005 to stand alone as a single strategic force, and that is being considered. I assure the noble and learned Lord that every consideration will be given to his comments—and even greater consideration to those of my noble and learned friend.

Secondary information