Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Home Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Gareth Thomas Excerpts
Monday 21st May 2012

(11 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Gareth Thomas Portrait Mr Gareth Thomas (Harrow West) (Lab/Co-op)
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When those responsible for antisocial behaviour are arrested, they should surely be dispatched to the police cells as quickly as possible. Does the Home Secretary therefore share my disappointment at the Metropolitan police’s decision to close all the cells at Harrow police station, leaving us with no cells at all—we are one of the few London boroughs in that position—and causing significant logistical and administrative problems for the police in Harrow?

Theresa May Portrait Mrs May
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It is a matter for the Metropolitan police how it chooses to arrange the provision of cells and operational matters on the ground. It is for the police to decide operational matters because they have operational independence—something that I would have thought the hon. Gentleman supported.