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Police and Justice Bill

Clause 15 gives district councillors a duty to refer a complaint by a constituent to the appropriate committee of his or her council. I do not oppose that procedure; I can see some merits in it. However, there are two things that concern me. First, the constituent’s expectations will be enormously high. Secondly, as far as I am aware, this is the first time that such a specific duty has been given to a local district councillor; it has not been done by any other service. I share the House’s nervousness and hesitation about whether our councillors, even the best, are fully acquainted with what the duty will involve and what its ramifications are. How will they deal with those matters, and has there been any guidance or discussion?