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Local and Regional Government

May I point out to the hon. Gentleman and the Minister that a lot of resentment is felt in Shropshire, particularly by our chief constable, Paul West, who has stated that he does not want the West Mercia police authority to be amalgamated with four other police authorities? That, coupled with the regional fire control centres, is another example of how the Government are determined to bring about regionalisation by stealth, no matter what local people wish.