§ 17 Clause 29, page 17, line 37, after 'incurred' insert '(or to be incurred)'.
Earl FerrersMy Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 17. Clause 29 provides for the Secretary of State to make initial financing grants to new police authorities before they take over their full responsibilities. As previously drafted, Clause 29 allowed the Secretary of State to make initial financing grants to the new police authorities in respect of expenditure which was incurred by them. That means that the grant could not be made until after the expenditure had been incurred. We now think it would be wise to ensure that the grant could be paid, if necessary, before the expenditure had been incurred. That is particularly so in the case of grant being made for the police authority's own purposes, such as for running its early meetings, for accommodation costs, for members' allowances and expenses, and so forth. It will be necessary for the police authorities to have the money in hand before it can be spent.
§ Moved, That the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 17.—(Earl Ferrers.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.