HC Deb 10 March 1994 vol 239 c355W
24. Ms Coffey

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what extra resources he is going to make available for the detection of crime.

Mr. Charles Wardle

Since 1978–79 the Government have increased expenditure on the police service by 87 per cent. in real terms and we are introducing measures to free up more police officers from administrative tasks for front-line duties.

It is for the chief constables to decide how to deploy their resources to the best effect within their force area and the Home Secretary has set key national objectives to assist them in determining their priorities.