HC Deb 20 December 1994 vol 251 cc1199-200W
Mr. Barry Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the principle underlying the decision he took concerning the sharing of resources among the police authorities of Wales.

Mr. Maclean

The draft report "The Police Grant Report (England and Wales) 1995–96" sets out the principles on which proposed allocations of resources to police forces have been made for 1995–96. A copy of the report has been placed in the Library.

Mr. Barry Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what percentage Welsh police spending has increased in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Maclean

Between 1992–93 and 1993–94 total capital and current expenditure by Welsh police authorities increased by 4.2 per cent. Final expenditure figures for 1994–95 are not yet available. The Government's proposals for allocations of police grant for current expenditure and police standard spending assessments in Wales in 1995–96 were announced on 1 December 1994,Official Report, column 815.

Mr. Barry Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations he has with the chief constables of Dyfed and North Wales before the apportioning of resources to police authorities; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Maclean

The Association of Chief Police Officers was represented on the Home Office working group which oversaw the development of the funding formula. The draft "Police Grant Report (England and Wales) 1995–96" was sent to chief officers on 1 December. This offers to them the opportunity to comment upon my right hon. and learned Friend's proposals for the allocation of police funding in 1995–96.

Mr. Barry Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will grant extra funds to the North Wales police authority to enable it to proceed with its capital project on the communications network; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Maclean

Projects of this kind are funded from the block allocations of capital resources which are made to each police authority. It is for the Police Authority and chief constable to decide what their priorities are and on what they spend their allocation. There are no additional funds available for individual communications projects.