§ Dr. Glynasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he informed the Thames valley police when he made available an additional £1.5 million funds that there would subsequently be consequential cuts in other funds made available to the force; and if he will make a statement.
446W
§ Mr. HurdPolice grant is paid on police expenditure, net of receipts. The payment of £1.5 million which has been made to Thames valley police authority reduces the total net expenditure eligible for police grant, and thus the amount of grant payable. Receipts are normally treated in this way, and if it was therefore naturally assumed that the police authority would appreciate how this payment would be treated. There has been a misunderstanding here which we regret.