HC Deb 22 November 1985 vol 87 c307W
Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the budget for each police force in Wales for the current financial year.

Mr. Giles Shaw

This is a matter for the police authority. The police budget for each force is determined locally by the police authority, subject to their statutory responsibilities and in consultation with the chief constable.

Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those police forces in Wales whose manpower is below establishment, and in which the police authority has stated that this is attributable to budgetary restrictions.

Mr. Giles Shaw

On 31 October 1985 the authorised establishment and strength of the police forces in Wales was as follows:

Authorised Establishment Police Strength Vacancies
Dyfed Powys 934 930 4
Gwent 978 971 7
North Wales 1,316 1,259 57
South Wales 3,109 3,053 56

The police budget for each force is determined by the police authority, subject to their statutory responsibilities, and in consultation with the chief constable. I understand that the North Wales police and the South Wales constabulary are holding police vacancies for budgetary reasons.