§ Mr. George Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements are made to ensure that any major increase in national duties by the Metropolitan Police is reflected in an abatement in the share of cost borne by the precept on London ratepayers (a) from one year to another and (b) within any one year; and if he will illustrate his reply in relation to the using of N District officers on Houses of Parliament duty in the week beginning 15 June.
§ Mr. MayhewA grant amounting to 2 per cent. of the net estimated revenue expenditure for the Metropolitan Police force as a whole is made annually from central funds in recognition of the national services which the force undertakes. The grant—which was increased from 1 per cent. in 1979—varies from year to year in relation to the force's total estimated revenue expenditure but, once fixed, is not varied within a year.
Separate funding arrangements apply to the agency service provided by the Metropolitan Police in relation to the Houses of Parliament.