HC Deb 07 April 1982 vol 21 cc335-6W
Mr. Eldon Griffiths

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing, for each police authority area, expenditure in the years 1980 and 1981, respectively, on anti-riot equipment, including helmets, body armour and shields, personnel carriers and CS gas.

Mr. Mayhew

The Home Office has estimates of numbers of items of equipment. Details of expenditure are not held centrally, but by each police authority. The cost of assembling that information would be disproportionate.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing, for each police authority area, expenditure in the years 1980 and 1981 on telecommunications equipment and computers for all types of police work.

Mr. Mayhew

Total police authority expenditure in England and Wales on police vehicles, plant and machinery in the years 1979–80 and 1980–81 was £33.5 million and £40 million respectively. Central records do not show the proportion of that expenditure which was attributable to telecommunications equipment and computers and the information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.