§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what new arrangements he proposes to apportion the costs of provision of joint police forces and fire services between Lothian region and Borders region on the introduction of the community charge legislation in April 1989.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe new basis of apportionment of costs will require to be incorporated in schemes made by Lothian and Borders regional councils. These schemes have not yet been formally submitted to the Secretary of State for his approval, but I understand that the two councils are proceeding on the basis that both police and fire costs should be apportioned on the basis of population as estimated under paragraph 2(3) of schedule 4 to the Abolition of Domestic Rates Etc. (Scotland) Act 1987.