§ Mr. CatonTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has for police authority revenue spending in 1998–99. [19123]
§ Mr. Ron DaviesI propose to make £353 million available from total standard spending in Wales to fund police services in 1998–99. This sum comprises £179.6 million in cash-limited police grant, to be paid by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, and 119W £173.4 million in standard spending assessments (SSA). It represents an overall increase of £12.4 million, or 3.6 per cent. on 1997–98.
The sums for each police authority are set out in the following table:
£ million Police grant SSA Total Dyfed-Powys 26.0 25.1 51.1 Gwent 34.3 33.0 67.3 North Wales 37.4 35.8 73.2 South Wales 81.8 79.5 161.3 My Department is today writing to each police authority in Wales consulting them on their provisional standard spending assessment for 1998–99. The figures may alter slightly if the balance of funding between English and Welsh police authorities, which is determined by a joint formula, changes as a result of consultation.
My provisional capping principles for police authorities allow for an increase in spending power of 3.7 per cent. I will make my final decisions on capping principles in the light of budgets set by police authorities.
Copies of the consultation letter will be placed in the Library of the House.