asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) in how many divisions of the Metropolitan Police parts of the new City of Westminster will be included;

(2) what steps he is taking to bring the Metropolitan Police divisions into line with the new local government and petty sessional areas.

Under the present organisation of the Metropolitan Police District, parts of the new City of Westminster will be included in seven divisions. I am however examining proposals which the Commissioner has just submitted to me for a reorganisation of the divisions in the Metropolitan Police District, which would in general align the boundaries of police divisions and sub-divisions with those of the new local authorities defined in the London Government Act, 1963, and of the new petty sessional areas that will result from the Administration of Justice Bill.

Is the Home Secretary aware that that is a very satisfactory answer if he is going to bring it into operation when the Act comes into operation? Is he aware that the splitting up of boroughs between divisions is not only administratively bad for police arrangements but from the public relations point of view it creates a lack of direct contact between the police, the courts and the local authorities?

I have great sympathy with what the hon. Member has said. I think that he and I are at one on the purposes which we desire to achieve if possible.