§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what representations he has received about the funding of Merseyside police authority;
(2) if he will increase the supplementary level of approval for Merseyside police authority for 1990–91;
(3) if he will make a statement on the level of central funding for Merseyside police authority and on the funding shortfall faced by Merseyside police authority in 1990 to 1992.
§ Mr. Peter LloydMy right hon. and noble Friend discussed the funding of capital expenditure with the chief constable and members of the police authority during a recent visit to Merseyside.
Under the provisions of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, the Government issue grants and credit approvals for capital expenditure by police authorities. The provision for grant and credit approvals for 1990–91, which is subject to cash limits, has been fully allocated to police authorities. No extra funding will be made available this year. It is, however, open to police authorities to incur capital expenditure above the level implied by allocation, but such expenditure would not attract grant.
Merseyside police authority will receive £1.194 million in capital grant, and credit approvals for £0.336 million in 1990–91. This will support capital expenditure of £2.130 million compared with the police authority's proposals for capital expenditure of £6.324 million.
No decisions have yet been made about the level of funding for 1991–92.