In section 76 of the [1963 c. 33.] London Government Act 1963, for subsection (1) (which defines the metropolitan police district so as to include certain areas of Essex, Hertfordshire and Surrey) there shall be substituted—
“(1)The metropolitan police district shall consist of Greater London, excluding the City of London, the Inner Temple and the Middle Temple.”
(1)The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis may, on the application of the chief officer of police of a police force maintained under section 2 of the [1996 c. 16.] Police Act 1996 for the police area of Essex, Hertfordshire or Surrey, provide for that force constables from the metropolitan police force.
(2)An application under subsection (1) above may only be made for the purpose of, or otherwise in connection with, meeting the demands placed, or reasonably expected to be placed, on the resources of the police force in question in consequence of the change effected as a result of section 323 above in the police area for which that force is maintained.
(3)While a constable is provided under this section for a police force, he shall be under the direction and control of the chief officer of police of that force, notwithstanding section 9A(1) of the [1996 c. 16.] Police Act 1996 (metropolitan police force to be under the direction and control of the Commissioner) or any other enactment relating to the direction or control of the metropolitan police force.
(4)The police authority maintaining a police force for which constables are provided under this section shall pay to the police authority maintaining the metropolitan police force such contribution as may be agreed upon between those authorities or, in the absence of any such agreement, as may be provided by any agreement subsisting at the time between all police authorities generally, or, in the absence of such general agreement, as may be determined by the Secretary of State.
(5)This section is without prejudice to any other power of a chief officer of police to provide constables or other assistance to another police force.
(6)Expressions used in this section and in the [1996 c. 16.] Police Act 1996 have the same meaning in this section as they have in that Act.