CARDIFF'S 101 NON-EMERGENCY NUMBER

That this House notes the decision by the Home Office to cease direct funding for the non-emergency 101 number in Cardiff in 2008; notes the significant improvements the 101 number has made to policing in South Wales by cutting down on non-emergency calls to the 999 number, reducing the number of unnecessary and costly immediate police call-outs and improving the co-ordination and efficiency of the police, local authorities and local services; is deeply concerned that these improvements will be lost if the 101 service is forced to close; and calls on the Home Department urgently to reconsider its decision over the future funding of the 101 service.