Police: Station Closures
Debate between Lord Henley and Lord Taylor of Blackburn(12 years, 6 months ago)
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Lord Henley
My Lords, it is not unusual for the Opposition to lead with their chin, so perhaps I ought to remind them of what one of their own former police spokesmen said only too recently. Vernon Coaker, the former shadow Police Minister, said:
“Ideally, you want the station to remain in the town but if that's not possible and they don't have the money then we have to look at alternatives … A lot of areas do operate without a station but they all have a presence”.
Lord Taylor of Blackburn
My Lords, what would the Minister’s reaction be to the recommendation, if it was made, that the police station at Penrith close?
Lord Henley
My Lords, I am not aware of such a suggestion, but, if it was made, obviously I would want to discuss it with the chief constable of the authority I happen to live in. However, it would be for him and not for me or for any other Home Office Minister to decide what was appropriate for Cumbria policing and policing in Penrith.
Agriculture: Farming
Debate between Lord Henley and Lord Taylor of Blackburn(13 years, 2 months ago)
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Lord Henley
My Lords, I was not aware that there was a very low take-up. I shall consider what my noble friend has said and write to her in due course.
Lord Taylor of Blackburn
My Lords, I realise that the Minister has little power over local government, but what about the Prison Service and the National Health Service, which have been selling off farming land, where he has got some control?
Lord Henley
My Lords, I realise that on this occasion I speak not only for Defra but for the entire Government. However, the noble Lord will appreciate that I have not been briefed on the problems of the National Health Service and the Prison Service. I shall make sure that I come to the House properly briefed in future and can deal with the question of agricultural land being sold off by those bodies should the question arise.