HC Deb 12 July 1999 vol 335 cc75-6W
Ms Lawrence

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the report into the sparsity element of the funding formula for police authorities. [90631]

Mr. Boateng

The available information help centrally relates to prosecutions in Merseyside in 1977 for offences of failing to pay the appropriate motor vehicle licence duty and for having the licence disc obscured or not affixed, the number of fines imposed and the average fine amount.

Mr. Boateng

The external research project commissioned by the Home Office examined whether there are any additional costs associated with the policing of sparsely populated rural areas. The final report from the researchers was considered by a Home Office-led Working Group, which includes representatives of the police, police authorities and local authorities, on 8 July. The Home Secretary and I will be considering the report shortly, and a copy will be placed in the Library.