§ David MacleanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons he proposes to reduce the amount of police specific grant to be received in Cumbria in 2004–05 in respect of the Rural Policing Initiative. [151875]
§ Ms BlearsForce allocations for the 31 forces benefiting from the £30 million Rural Policing Fund are determined by sparsity and population factors alone. I have made no changes to the formulae underpinning the Fund for next year. Cumbria's share will reduce by £7,000 (0.5 per cent.) to take account of changes in data relative to other authorities. Cumbria's allocation for 2004–05 is £1,348,383.