I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman. He mentioned basic command units and I agree with much of what he says, but when I have a problem with a constituent in Lichfield I can take them to police headquarters in Stafford, where they can talk to the top man. The...

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman. He mentioned basic command units and I agree with much of what he says, but when I have a problem with a constituent in Lichfield I can take them to police headquarters in Stafford, where they can talk to the top man. The...

I think that I had better give way to the hon. Member for Lichfield (Michael Fabricant) now.

I think that I had better give way to the hon. Member for Lichfield (Michael Fabricant) now.

Is my hon. Friend surprised that despite everything that the three Tory MPs in Wales have said about policing, none of them is bothering to take part in the debate?

Is my hon. Friend surprised that despite everything that the three Tory MPs in Wales have said about policing, none of them is bothering to take part in the debate?

The previous Home Secretary was well aware that Members of Parliament representing north Wales had profound concerns about the proposals. The new Home Secretary will also be aware of that concern, which we have shown by our attendance in the Chamber today. I am aware of the hon. Gentleman’s arguments...

The previous Home Secretary was well aware that Members of Parliament representing north Wales had profound concerns about the proposals. The new Home Secretary will also be aware of that concern, which we have shown by our attendance in the Chamber today. I am aware of the hon. Gentleman’s arguments...

The port of Holyhead is in my constituency. There was concern about the transfer of policing from the port to the local area but no decision has yet been made. I raised the issue with the Home Secretary, who said that he would look into it. The important issue of...

The port of Holyhead is in my constituency. There was concern about the transfer of policing from the port to the local area but no decision has yet been made. I raised the issue with the Home Secretary, who said that he would look into it. The important issue of...

I will give way to my hon. Friend— Hon. Members: Oh!

I will give way to my hon. Friend— Hon. Members: Oh!

Will my hon. Friend give way?

Will my hon. Friend give way?

Will the hon. Gentleman give way?

Will the hon. Gentleman give way?

Part of the Government’s explanation of the reason for police mergers is that they will increase resilience and improve counter-terrorism and co-ordination between police force areas, so why are five special branch officers being removed from the important port of Holyhead, which has the fourth highest footfall in the country?

Part of the Government’s explanation of the reason for police mergers is that they will increase resilience and improve counter-terrorism and co-ordination between police force areas, so why are five special branch officers being removed from the important port of Holyhead, which has the fourth highest footfall in the country?

I have no detailed knowledge of that proposal, but my hon. Friend the Member for Ynys Môn (Albert Owen) is in active discussion about it, so I have every confidence that the matter will be satisfactorily resolved owing to his intervention.

I have no detailed knowledge of that proposal, but my hon. Friend the Member for Ynys Môn (Albert Owen) is in active discussion about it, so I have every confidence that the matter will be satisfactorily resolved owing to his intervention.

It is essential that individuals and our constituents have links with the police at the most local level. Community safety partnerships enable that to happen. Basic command units in my area of north-east Wales have been extremely effective in linking local authorities and the police so that they can work...

It is essential that individuals and our constituents have links with the police at the most local level. Community safety partnerships enable that to happen. Basic command units in my area of north-east Wales have been extremely effective in linking local authorities and the police so that they can work...

My hon. Friends and I recognise that the hon. Gentleman is absolutely right to say that it is important that police forces have an affinity and a closeness to local communities, so why are the Government trying to destroy that by merging police authorities into larger areas where they are...

My hon. Friends and I recognise that the hon. Gentleman is absolutely right to say that it is important that police forces have an affinity and a closeness to local communities, so why are the Government trying to destroy that by merging police authorities into larger areas where they are...

I support the Government amendments, in particular new clause 4 and amendment No. 64. The proposals to set up an all-Wales police force have been extremely controversial in Wales, especially in north Wales. North Wales Labour MPs have been listening closely to their constituents’ views about the proposals and were...

I support the Government amendments, in particular new clause 4 and amendment No. 64. The proposals to set up an all-Wales police force have been extremely controversial in Wales, especially in north Wales. North Wales Labour MPs have been listening closely to their constituents’ views about the proposals and were...

No, I do not. It is plausible to have a regional government appropriate to the community that it serves that is not based on the model that is emerging in this country. For the record, my party has always been in favour of elected regional government that takes power down...

No, I do not. It is plausible to have a regional government appropriate to the community that it serves that is not based on the model that is emerging in this country. For the record, my party has always been in favour of elected regional government that takes power down...

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that there appears to be a dichotomy between his party’s correct opposition to the proposals for police amalgamations and its consistent support for regional government in every form possible?

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that there appears to be a dichotomy between his party’s correct opposition to the proposals for police amalgamations and its consistent support for regional government in every form possible?

Search as I might in all sources available to me, I can find no justification for asserting that particular criterion. It does not bear examination or stand up to scrutiny for me, although it did for the former Home Secretary. I have to say to the Minister, who I see...

Search as I might in all sources available to me, I can find no justification for asserting that particular criterion. It does not bear examination or stand up to scrutiny for me, although it did for the former Home Secretary. I have to say to the Minister, who I see...

Not true.

Not true.

Does the hon. Gentleman not agree that the composition of the local teams that he has referred to should reflect the most local level? Whether resources are devoted to fully trained police constables, police community support officers or wardens, the decision should be made to reflect local need, and should...

Does the hon. Gentleman not agree that the composition of the local teams that he has referred to should reflect the most local level? Whether resources are devoted to fully trained police constables, police community support officers or wardens, the decision should be made to reflect local need, and should...

My hon. Friend makes an excellent point. Investment pays off in policing. Community police teams, of which we are very proud, have been created in north Wales. We are leading the way on that issue. We do not want the progress that has been made in north Wales to be...

My hon. Friend makes an excellent point. Investment pays off in policing. Community police teams, of which we are very proud, have been created in north Wales. We are leading the way on that issue. We do not want the progress that has been made in north Wales to be...

We have just had a 25-minute debate on community policing in north Wales in the middle of a debate on the reorganisation of police forces across the country—I would like to drag the debate back to that broader subject. I want to speak in support of Amendment No. 82. I...

We have just had a 25-minute debate on community policing in north Wales in the middle of a debate on the reorganisation of police forces across the country—I would like to drag the debate back to that broader subject. I want to speak in support of Amendment No. 82. I...