We are obfuscating the issue by increasing bureaucracy. He is absolutely right. The criminal law should be the same throughout the country. Does my hon. Measures should be available, therefore, that may be particularly appropriate for one force, but not for all the others.
Friend makes an interesting point.
We are trying to encourage best practice in police forces to be used nationally. The fundamental point is that we do not yet have best practice in the culture of policing, but we hope that we will achieve it. My question, which I dwelt on before, is whether we are equal citizens under the law or only under some laws. I mentioned the Worcester City Council Act 1985. There is also the County of Lancashire Act 1984 and the City of Newcastle upon Tyne Act 2000.