HC Deb 16 February 1999 vol 325 cc649-50W
Mr. McNulty

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what will be the total cost to Public funds of the Metropolitan police in 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [72144]

Mr. Straw

The Receiver for the Metropolitan Police District has estimated that net revenue expenditure for the Metropolitan police for 1999–2000 will be £1,880,068,000 and he intends to issue precepts which would result in a council tax for police purposes of £77.44 for a property in valuation Band D.

I have discussed this with representatives of local authorities in the Metropolitan police district.

I have informed the Receiver that I am content with the estimates and the proposed precept.

In Inner London, the Receiver's precepts cover also the Inner London Magistrates Courts Service and the Inner London Probation Service. His proposals would result in council taxes for these services of £6.40 and £8.78 respectively for a property in valuation Band D.

Compared with the current year, the proposed precepts would result in an increase in the Receiver's council tax of 5.2 per cent. in Inner London and 9.5 per cent. in the rest of the Metropolitan police district.