To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in the negotiations between the Metropolitan Police and the Surrey Constabulary to effect the transfer of responsibility for policing parts of Surrey. [81624]

I understand that the negotiations between the Metropolitan police and Surrey police have made good progress on the wide range of detailed issues which need to be resolved in order to ensure a smooth transfer of responsibility on 1 April 2000. These negotiations take place bilaterally or, where appropriate, in a wider forum involving Essex police and Hertfordshire Constabulary, the other two forces affected by the change to the Metropolitan police district boundary. All four forces are represented on the central consultative group which the Home Office has set up to bring together all interested parties. There has been an excellent spirit of co-operation throughout.