§ Mr. Eldon Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for Wales if it is his intention that the general block grant to the proposed Welsh Authority should cover police expenditure; and, if so, whether it remains Government policy that the police service should not be a devolved responsibility.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesI have been asked to reply.
The Scotland and Wales Bill devolves no powers over the police to the Welsh Assembly and police grant will continue 367W to be paid by me to police authorities. Clause 78 of the Bill, however, transfers to the Welsh Assembly responsibility for rate support grant in Wales. Police expenditure in Wales will be relevant expenditure for the purpose of that grant in the same way that it now is in England and Wales. Clause 78(4) of the Bill requires the Welsh Assembly to consult the Government about police expenditure before taking decisions about rate support grant.