asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he will not establish a national police and protection force to protect the Royal Family, embassies, visiting Heads of State and other similar persons, the costs of such a force to be met wholly from national Exchequer funds and not from local authorities or local ratepayers from the areas where the residences of these public representatives may be situated.

My right hon. Friend believes that the present arrangements are appropriate because they provide the opportunity for police officers to have a varied and satisfactory career, including, but not devoted exclusively to, protection duties. The national commitments of the Metropolitan Police are recognised in the financial arrangements. There are also wider objections to the introduction of a national police force, however limited its purpose.