§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what was the total sum allocated to Welsh police authorities in 1994–95 and 1995–96; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what was the budget available to his Department to allocate to Welsh police authorities in 1994–95 and 1995–96; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RedwoodFor 1994–95 there are no standard spending assessments for police authorities in Wales on which to base year-on-year comparisons. County council SSAs include provision for police services. Expenditure on policing is determined by county councils in the light of their statutory responsibilities, local needs and available resources. Some 51 per cent. of current and capital expenditure incurred by police authorities is met by Home Office grant. For 1994–95 this is expected to amount to £150.6 million.
From 1 April 1995, police authorities will be self-standing local authorities with their own cash-limited police grant and SSA allocations. I announced on 1 December that I propose to make £300.7 million available from total standard spending in Wales to fund police services in 1995–96.