13. Mr. WilliamHamilton asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total cost to public funds of police pay and emoluments in each of the last three years; and what percentage increase there has been since April 1979.
§ Mr. MayhewThe cost in England and Wales was £934 million in 1979–80, and £1,139 million in 1980–81. The estimated cost in 1981–82 was £1,395 million—an increase of 49.4 per cent. on expenditure in 1979–80. This reflects not only the increase in pay levels but also the increase in police numbers by nearly 8,500 since the Government took office.