asked the Secretary of State for the Home Depart- ment if he will call for a report from the chief constable on the level of, and measures taken against, violent crime in Birmingham; and if he will make a statement.

No, since arrangements already exist for my right hon. Friend to be kept fully informed of the problems facing the police and the measures being taken to deal with them, both in the West Midlands and elsewhere. Responsibility for operational matters rests, of course, with the chief constable.