PROPOSED MERGER OF THE WELSH POLICE FORCES

Early day motion 2203, tabled 17 May 2006 by Mark Williams (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 37 members.

That this House notes the Government's proposed merger of the four Welsh police forces into a single Welsh force; further notes the reservations that all four Welsh police authorities have about the merger and the widespread confusion and uncertainty regarding the costs of the merger, the process of precept convergence and the impact the merger will have on council tax payers across Wales; agrees with the Welsh Affairs Committee's conclusion that `the very short timetable set by the Government' had `limited the scope of the debate and impeded consultation with the police forces and police authorities' and `removed the possibility of full consultation with the public'; and calls on the Government immediately to review its police merger policy.

Signatures by party: Conservative 20, Liberal Democrat 9, Labour 4, Plaid Cymru 3, DUP 1.