§ Mr. SweeneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are his proposals for police authority revenue spending in 1995–96.
§ Mr. RedwoodI propose to make £300.7 million available from total standard spending in Wales to fund police services in 1995–96. This sum comprises £153.7 million in cash-limited police grant to be paid by the Home Secretary and £147.0 million in standard spending assessments. It represents an overall increase of 6 per cent. on police revenue budgets for 1994–95. The sums for each police authority are set out in the following table:
Police grant £ millions SSA £ millions Total £ millions Dyfed-Powys 22.5 21.7 44.2 Gwent 24.1 23.3 47.4 North Wales 32.2 30.6 62.8 South Wales 74.8 71.4 146.2 The Welsh Office is today writing to each of the police authorities in Wales to consult them on their provisional standard spending assessment for 1995–96.
It is essential that police authorities budget wisely and do not impose an unreasonable burden on council taxpayers. I therefore propose provisional capping principles to inform their budget decisions.
I will make my final decisions on capping principles in the light of budgets set by police authorities.
I am still considering my capping proposals for county and district councils in Wales and propose to announce provisional capping principles for these authorities in mid-December, when provisional county and district SSAs are announced.
Copies of the consultation letter will be place in the Library of the House.