§ Sir R. Birdasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can now make a statement on the Exchequer grant payable to the Wolverhampton Town Council in respect of the borough police force and which is still withheld.
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§ Mr. H. MorrisonIn answer to a question by my hon. Friend on 8th June, I explained that I had decided to withhold from Wolverhampton the half yearly instalment of the Exchequer grant in aid of their police expenditure, amounting to £13,000, because I was not satisfied that the police force was at that time efficiently maintained and properly administered. I have now reviewed the position, in the light of a report submitted by H.M. Inspector of Constabulary following a special inspection of the borough police force, and I am glad to be able to say that I have felt able to authorise the payment to Wolverhampton of the sum in question.