HC Deb 08 December 1994 vol 251 cc338-9W
Mr. Llwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish for each police authority in Wales, and for Wales as whole, for the last available two years, and with an estimate for the next available two years(a) the total expenditure and (b) the percentage change from the previous year indicating in each case what proportion of expenditure is met by central Government provision.

Mr. Maclean

Table A lists the total current and capital expenditure, together with percentage increases, by each police authority in Wales in each of the last two years for which outturn figures are available. Estimated expenditure for 1994–95 is also shown. Fifty-one per cent. of this expenditure is met by Home Office grants to police authorities. Revenue support grant is also paid by the Welsh Office to the constituent county councils of police authorities in Wales.

From 1995–96, the police authorities will be free standing, precepting bodies with their own standard spending assessment. Police specific grant will be paid as a cash-limited sum not as a proportion of expenditure.

Table B shows the proposals for allocation of police grant to Welsh police authorities for current expenditure, and also the police standard spending assessments proposed by my right hon. Friend. the Secretary of State for Wales. Allocations of capital grant have not yet been determined.

Table B—Police authority provisional expenditure allocations 1995–96
£ Million1
Grant £ SSA £ Total £
Dyfed-Powys 22.557 21.66 44.217
Gwent 24.136 23.26 47.396
North Wales 32.211 30.64 62.851
South Wales 74.775 71.46 146/235
All Wales 153.679 147.02 300.699
1 Excluding capital grant.

Mr. Llwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representation he has received from Welsh police authorities regarding their budgets; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Maclean

My right hon. and noble Friend Lord Ferrers met a delegation from the South Wales police authority to discuss its financial situation on 1 February 1994. I have received no subsequent representations from Welsh police authorities about police budgets. It is the responsibility of each police authority to set the budget of its police force.