§ Mr. WareingTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the appropriateness of the current police funding formula to meet the spending requirements of police authorities; what plans he has to review the spending needs formula; and if he will make a statement. [8339]
§ Mr. MacleanThe 1996–97 police funding formula is the best currently available means of assessing the relative needs of different police authorities. In 1997–98, as in 137W 1996–97, we intend to consider with the allocation formula working group possible changes to the operation of the formula which may be suggested by the service, by police authorities and others.