§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to reimburse from central Government the cost to Wiltshire local taxpayers of policing and protecting the Stonehenge World Heritage Area; and if he will make a statement. [88092]
§ Mr. BoatengFollowing the Comprehensive Spending Review, the budget of Wiltshire Police Authority will increase this year by 3.4 per cent. to £68.9 million, which is above the national average increase of 3.1 per cent. Around 80 per cent. of the police authority's spending comes from central Government.
The Government congratulate Wiltshire Constabulary on their handling of the disorder at Stonehenge on 21 June. Police forces can from time to time face particular demands on their resources. We would normally expect forces to meet any additional costs from within their existing budgets, or from contingency reserves.