(Harrow East) (Con):
I understand that the police funding settlement for next year
will be published next week, as will the local authority funding
settlement, yet I see that there is no opportunity for a debate
in the business to be transacted for the next two weeks. Clearly,
the decision on leaving the European Union is vital, but will my
right hon. Friend find time for us to debate these very important
issues, which are fundamental to the policing and local
government of this country?
The Leader of the House of Commons (Andrea
Leadsom): My hon. Friend makes a good point. He will
appreciate that there is very important and time-constrained
business over the next fortnight. We do, however, have Home
Office questions on Monday 3 December, and I hope that he will
take the opportunity to raise his concerns then.
(Cleethorpes)
(Con): Following on from the point about police funding
raised by my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow East (Bob
Blackman), we in the Humberside police area have a particular
problem with the pension contributions that the force may have to
make, which could result in the loss of all our police community
support officers. The Home Secretary was good enough to meet
Humberside MPs earlier this week, but we could do with an
opportunity to discuss the issue further. Will the Leader of the
House find time for a debate?
: My hon. Friend is
right to raise this very important issue. He will be aware that
we have provided the capacity for Police and Crime Commissioners
to access an extra £460 million this financial year. He will also
be aware that my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary is
determined to review the funding formula properly this year to
make sure that police officers do have the resources that they
need. We have Home Office questions on 3 December, and I
encourage my hon. Friend to take the matter up there.
(Crawley) (Con): In
recent weeks, unfortunately, there have been a number of serious
knife crimes in Crawley, including a murder. Even though I
welcome the Sussex police and crime commissioner recruiting 200
extra officers and the Third Reading of the Offensive Weapons
Bill last night, can we have a statement from the Home Secretary
on county lines drug running? These incidents are all related to
drug gangs from outside the constituency. I endorse what the hon.
Member for Lewisham West and Penge (Ellie Reeves) requested.
: My hon. Friend
raises the appalling problem of the spike in serious violence
related to county lines and, in particular, knife crime. Tackling
county lines is a huge priority for the Government. Our serious
violence strategy includes a range of actions to enhance our
response to the issue. For example, we have established a new
national county lines co-ordination centre, to enhance the
intelligence picture and support cross-border efforts to tackle
county lines. There is also funding for community projects, to
encourage young people out of serious violence. I am sure my hon.
Friend will want to take part in the debate we will have in two
weeks’ time.
