§ Mr. GillTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements he has put in place to fund the planned police national radio system. [109830]
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§ Mr. Charles ClarkeOver the next three years the police service will receive an additional £1.24 billion in central Government funding, which is a significant increase for the police at a time when the Government need to maintain firm control over public expenditure. It is a matter for each Police Authority to set its budget and for the Chief Constable to determine how to use the resources that are available. The Government have also relaxed the rules on the use of capital receipts from the sales of assets. Police Authorities now have the freedom to use all proceeds from the sales for capital investment.
Approximately 80 per cent. of the service charges for the Public Safety Radio Communications Project (PSRCP) is attributable to the cost of the core service which, in England and Wales, is to be funded centrally by means of deduction from the total police grant provision. These charges will be reduced by the £50 million subsidy I have obtained from the Capital Modernisation Fund.
The cost of services additional to the core, the so-called `menu services', which all forces may purchase according to their own requirements accounts for the remaining 20 per cent. Separately from the PSRCP Service charge, forces will need to purchase radio terminals, control room equipment and integration service.
Police expenditure in the period 2001–02 to 2003–04 will be subject to the outcome of the 2000 Spending Review.