§ 16. Sir John Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what financial assistance the Government are providing for police authorities during the miners' dispute.
§ Mr. BrittanThe Home Office normally meets 50 per cent. of approved policing costs. Because of the exceptional expenditure incurred by some police authorities in policing the dispute, I have announced arrangements which mean that we shall meet 90 per cent. of the approved additional costs of policing the dispute above the product of a penny rate in a police area. Furthermore, once a police authority's own contribution amounts to the product of a three quarter penny rate, all further additional expenditure incurred in policing the dispute will be met in full by the Exchequer, however long the dispute lasts.
§ Sir John Biggs-DavisonIn our local police system police authorities must play their financial part. However, is not the Government's assistance necessary and welcome? Will my right hon. and learned Friend commend the police in the mining areas, who withstand brutal attacks with such courage and patience?
§ Mr. BrittanI entirely agree with my hon. Friend. Having had the opportunity of meeting the police in one such area—south Yorkshire—only on Saturday, I unhesitatingly commend their magnificent efforts in the face of tremendous provocation.