§ Mr. Eldon Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a list of the police authorities which operate police vessels; what is the general purpose of such boats: if he is currently encouraging coastal police forces to acquire more vessels for these duties; and what proportion of the capital cost, maintenance costs and crew salaries, is provided from Exchequer funds.
§ Dr. SummerskillServices are operated throughout the year by the following police forces: Metropolitan Police, Northumbria, Essex, Hampshire, Dorset, Sussex, Kent.
Seasonal boat patrols are operated by: Cheshire, Cumbria, Norfolk, Thames Valley.
Suffolk police have acquired a launch which is expected to be in service in 1977.
The general purpose of police vessels is law enforcement in coastal waters and inland waterways. The extent to which they are needed is for the chief constable and the police authority concerned 702W to decide in the light of local conditions and operational needs, and no special advice has been given by the Home Office, although the attention of all police authorities has been drawn recently to the need for economy in the purchase of equipment of all kinds.
Approved expenditure in purchasing, maintaining and manning police vessels attracts specific grant of 50 per cent. from Exchequer funds and present estimates of expenditure are included as relevant expenditure for the purpose of the rate support grant.