HC Deb 25 July 1985 vol 83 cc665-7W
Mr. Willie W. Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total expenditure on law and order services in each year since 1979; and what the annual increases were in percentage terms, and in real terms.

Mr. Brittan

The information requested has been drawn from table 3.9 in volume II of the White Paper "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1985–86 to 1987–88" (Cmnd. 9428-II) and is set out in the table below. The figures are for the total law, order and protective services programme, excluding expenditure on protective services (immigration and citizenship, fire, community services, central and miscellaneous services and civil defence).

Offences Act 1985, on the availability of financial and manpower resources for the tape recording of interviews with suspects within the Metropolitan police area.

Mr. Giles Shaw

Field trials in the tape recording of police interviews with suspects are currently being conducted at Croydon and Holborn stations in the Metropolitan police district. Extension of the trials to Clapham, Holloway and the central cheque squad is planned for later this year.

Equipment for the trials at Croydon and Holborn was supplied by the Department. Other costs, including the costs of the equipment for the extension of the trials, are being met from the Metropolitan police's existing resources. The question of the future provision for expenditure on tape recording will be included in negotiations on the size of the Metropolitan police fund.

Mr. Peter Bruinvels

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement as to the availability of funds for the implementation of the provisons of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985, particularly with reference to the tape recording of interviews with suspects at police stations; and if he has any plans to postpone any of the previously announced implementation dates on (a) financial or (b) other grounds.

Mr. Giles Shaw

The Government have announced that funds will be made available to meet the costs thought likely to flow from the establishment of a duty solicitor scheme. So far as the tape recording of suspect interviews is concerned, it is not envisaged that this will lead to any increased resource requirement and could well lead to greater efficiency. Provision is being made in the Government plans for local authority capital expenditure of £1.4 million to cover the cost of minor works associated with the acoustic enhancement of interview rooms and on the purchase of equipment associated with tape recording in 1986–87. In addition the likely current expenditure involved will be reflected in the rate support settlement

The administration of the Crown Prosecution Service will be the responsibility of my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General. Under the provisions of section 30 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 the costs of the service will be met from money provided by Parliament, and the necessary estimates will be laid before Parliament in due course. The Government's aim is to meet the implementation dates which have been announced.