§ Mr. FavellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he intends to take any measures to restrain expenditure in 1989–90 by the six joint police authorities and seven joint fire and civil defence authorities.
§ Mr. HurdA number of initiatives are being taken to improve value for money in the police and fire services. In the particular circumstances of the joint authorities I do not consider it appropriate to designate any of them for precept limitation in 1989–90. I do, however, expect them to continue to exercise restraint in their spending, and to have regard to efficiency, effectiveness and economy in the delivery of satisfactory levels of service.