asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reorganise the financing of police expenditure.

None, Sir.

Will the right hon. Gentleman look at this again with his right hon. Friends, because we have heard a great deal about relieving the rate burden, and the nexus between local authorities and the police as regards control is a complete sham, and this is a really substantial area of economy for the rates which might be borne where it should properly be borne—by the taxpayers and not the ratepayers?

I am not convinced that this is harmful to police efficiency at the present time, to which I attach the greatest possible importance. I will, of course, look at this matter as I am constantly looking at all matters of police administration.