Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Home Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Jim Cunningham Excerpts
Monday 6th February 2012

(12 years, 3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Herbert of South Downs Portrait Nick Herbert
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I can tell my hon. Friend that the Police Federation urged us to accept the recommendations of the police arbitration tribunal, and we did so. The official Opposition also urged us to do so. Once again, it is clear that although the Labour party campaigns against cuts, it supported another reduction in police spending without admitting it to police officers.

Jim Cunningham Portrait Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) (Lab)
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T3. What powers will police commissioners have?

Lord Herbert of South Downs Portrait Nick Herbert
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That is set out in the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011. Police and crime commissioners will replace police authorities. They will be there to hold chief constables to account. Control and direction will remain with chief constables. It is notable that a number of Labour party figures, including some who remain Members of the House, have expressed interest in standing as police and crime commissioners despite the principled opposition to them by the Labour party.