AFTER last week's rebellion on the Prevention of Terrorism Bill second reading, the major scare for the Government came on Monday during the committee stage when the first amendment that would have made the Home Secretary apply to the court for detention orders was only defeated by the Government with a majority of 14 votes.

There were 60 Labour rebels and more Labour MPs who abstained. It is this strength of feeling by the Government's own backbenchers which is the most potent force to make the Government amend Bills in the House of Lords.

Yet again, I fail to see why the Government will not make essential amendments to a Bill in the House of Commons before it goes to the House of Lords where the Government plans to accept the very same changes.

At the end of the third reading debate, a senior Tory backbencher asked: "How can we be self respecting and stand up for the rights and appropriateness of the House by voting for the Bill when we know that it is not the Act of Parliament that will pass?"

Despite the Government's aim of devolution of power its inability to let go of central control is exemplified with funding for the police.

Despite local wishes shown in an extensive consultation and Mori poll which confirmed that citizens are happy to spend more on the police for increased officers, the Government has confirmed the threats of capping in an explicit letter.

Our own force has set the precept increase as high as possible at 3.98 per cent and there will be no direct staffing reductions resulting from this limited increase.

However, there will have to be savings from vacancies.

I hope this will not affect their work as they have had a letter of congratulation from HM Inspector of Constabulary for achieving improvements in the levels of burglary and detection of violent crime.

Last weekend was National Special Constables Weekend and I visited Bewdley Police Station to talk to the sub divisional officer and the section officer.

Few of us realise that Specials are volunteers receiving only minimal expenses for boots and travelling to work.

Not surprisingly, the number of specials in our policing division has decreased in the last 10 years even though the minimum commitment is four hours per week.

These officers now receive comprehensive training, they have the same powers as regular police officers and they are vital to increasing the visible police presence on our streets.

The aim of the weekend was to encourage recruitment and I hope this is successful.

Although, when faced with long hours at work in their normal job and many calls on spare time, I think some sort of financial encouragement would help people to take on this vital arduous and even risky job.