§ 16. Mr. GallieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what sums were made available in(a) 1995–96 and (b) 1996–97 to local authorities for fire services in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [15800]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonGrant-aided expenditure for the fire service in Scotland was set at £134.4 million in 1995–96 and has been set at £147.4 million for 1996–97—an increase of nearly 10 per cent. It is up to local authorities to decide whether to spend at, below or above GAE on any particular service.