HC Deb 11 May 1984 vol 59 cc493-4W
Mr. Heddle

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will take further action to protect local authorities from grant penalties for expenditure incurred for policing during the miners' strike.

Mr. Patrick Jenkin

I now propose to exempt from grant holdback the additional part of a local authority's expenditure in 1984–85 which arises from the policing of the miners' industrial action. This follows the similar disregard already announced for 1983–84.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department is today making an announcement about special financial assistance to the police authorities concerned.