§ Mr. BeithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police forces have budgets set for 1999–2000 which are (i) a real terms rise in funding, (ii) fixed in real terms and (iii) a real terms fall in funding; and if he will make a statement. [60339]
§ Mr. BoatengThis information is not yet available. The provisional police funding settlement for 1999–2000 will be announced in the next few weeks. Police authorities will set their budgets following approval by the House, in late January or early February, of my right hon. Friend's determination of the amount of grant he proposes to pay to each police authority, and the Metropolitan Police, next year.