Mr Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath, Conservative)

In this case, the Police Federation has written to my hon. Friend and myself to say that it agrees with what is proposed in clause 80, although it says—and I share this opinion—

''we are intrigued as to the intentions behind it.''

It is intrigued about whether there is any special significance in introducing a special measure in an Act of Parliament to provide that the president of ACPO shall continue to hold the rank of chief constable. I am equally puzzled and intrigued about that, so I am interested to know what the Minister has to say.

Mr John Denham (Minister of State (Police, Courts and Drugs), Home Office; Southampton, Itchen, Labour)

The underlying policy is to enable the creation of a full-time presidency of ACPO, because it is becoming increasingly demanding for someone to

act as chief constable of a force and as the professional leader of the whole police service. We were first persuaded of the need to create a full-time presidency of ACPO. Then the organisation persuaded us that the person who acts, in effect, as the leader all chief constables would need to have the same professional status. There are some additional functions that go with the presidency, such as activities related to the work of the police national co-ordinating centre, which come into play to deal with floods and similar events. ACPO argued that in those situations where there is something of an operational crossover, it would be necessary for the person in office to be a chief constable, and because otherwise they would have to forego that office when they left the force to become full-time president.

Mr Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath, Conservative)

That seems very sensible. I am happy with that answer.

Question put and agreed to.

Clause 80 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 81 to 84 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

It being twenty-five minutes past Eleven o'clock, THE CHAIRMAN adjourned the Committee without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order.

Adjourned till this day at half-past Two o'clock.