§ Mr. Norman Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department by how much he estimates the total cost of the Metropolitan Police will increase during the year 1982–83 as against the cost for the year 1981–82; what proportion will be paid by the London local authorities; and whether the increase is subject to the restraints and cash limits set by the Government for other local authority services.
§ Mr. WhitelawThe approved estimate of net expenditure by the Metropolitan Police for 1982–83 exceeds the revised estimate for 1981–82 by £49 million—8.4 per cent. This increase allows for the growth of about 1,000 in the strength of the force. About 50 per cent. of the cost of the force is met by precept levied by the receiver on the boroughs and districts in the Metropolitan Police district, but this is partly offset by block grant paid to the authorities through the rate support grant system. On the basis of the rate support grant report for 1982–83, this would be 44 per cent. of the precept for that year.
The force's budget is not subject to a cash limit, but in approving the budget I have due regard to the Government's public expenditure policies.