Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill

The Minister said that the Government were anxious that everything should be seen to be thought through. None of the provisions seems to have been thought through at the local level. They have been thought through at force level but not at local level. The Minister said that the Government wanted things to be transparent and visible at all levels, but it is at the local level that they are not. Like the noble Lord, Lord Shipley, I hope that the Minister will take away this matter and look at it again. I detect a degree of rigidity here. I felt that I was putting forward suggestions that were eminently sensible and tried to improve the structure. We continually hear back references to structures that are clearly not workable. We are trying to improve the model, but I sense all the time rigidity and reluctance to accept any changes whatever. I regret that that is the case, but I am sure that the Minister is sincere in saying that he will take the matter away and look at it. He really needs to do that, otherwise the provisions will not have been thought through, which will have serious repercussions at local level. Although I shall not move my amendment at this stage, I reserve the right to bring back some of these issues on Report, because, so far, we have not had sensible answers to some of the serious issues being raised. Amendment 83ZZA not moved. Amendments 83ZA and 83A not moved. Clause 10 agreed. Amendments 83B and 83C not moved. Clause 11 : Information for public etc Clause 11 : Information for public etc Amendments 84 to 85A not moved. Clause 11 agreed. Clause 12 : Annual reports Clause 12 : Annual reports Amendments 85B to 86C not moved. Clause 12 agreed. Clause 13 : Information for police and crime panels Clause 13 : Information for police and crime panels Amendments 86D to 88 not moved. Clause 13 agreed. Clause 14 : Arrangements for obtaining the views of the community on policing Clause 14 : Arrangements for obtaining the views of the community on policing Amendments 88A to 90 not moved. Amendment 91 Moved by