§ Ms. HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the percentage change, in real terms, in the police precept levied on each London borough between 1985–86 and 1986–87 and 1987–88; what factors account for this change; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggIt would not be meaningful to calculate increases in the precept in real terms, because of the annual change to the product of the penny rate. The ratepayers' contribution to Metropolitan police expen-diture in 1985–86, 1986–87 and 1987–88 was £227 million, £258 million and £284 million respectively. This represents a real terms increase of 10.3 per cent. between 1985–86 and 1986–87 and 5.6 per cent. between 1986–87 and 1987–88.
These increases were primarily to meet the cost of additional manpower, increases in policy pay, allowances and pensions and additional equipment.
§ Ms. HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total cost of maintaining the Metropolitan police force in 1985–86, 1986–87 and 1987–88; and what was the precept levied on each London borough for those years.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggMetropolitan police net revenue expenditure was £771 million in 1985–86 and £834 million in 1986–87. The estimate for 1987–88 is £929 million.
The precepts levied in each of these years was 12.62p 14.21p and 15.4p respectively.