§ Mr. Merchantasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he intends to (a) increase grant to, or (b) increase the establishment of police forces in Northumbria in view of the high incidence of organised crime.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggOn 18 December 1986 my right hon. Friend approved an increase of 35 constable posts for the Northumbria police with immediate effect, and 40 such posts with effect from 1 April 1987. We shall consider the force's needs further when it has recruited up to its new establishment.
Police grant is payable as a percentage of expenditure by each police authority. We have no plans at present to further increase the percentage which was increased to 51 per cent. last year in view of the demands on the police service. Block grant is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment.