§ Mr. Cashasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received from police authorities about the availability of resources to the police; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HurdI have received representations from a number of police authorities about various aspects of police expenditure. In view of the increasing demands on the police service, particularly the need to counter drug abuse, public disorder and terrorism, I intend to increase the proportion of police expenditure met by central Government through police grant from 50 to 51 per cent. in 1986–87. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment will be making a further £22 million of block grant available in England. Under the block grant system this will ensure that all police authorities receive an increase in grant and there is no less for other authorities. This will help all police authorities in England and Wales without placing too great a burden on the ratepayers. It will enable the joint police authorities in the metropolitan areas to provide the level of service implied by their expenditure levels, and I look to them to do so. At the same time, they will be able to make precepts below the maximum levels which I have set or proposed.