§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what additional resources he proposes 441W to make available to (a) the police and (b) child protection agencies to combat and investigate child abuse; and if he will make a statement. [138763]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeVigorous action against child abuse is very important. However, it is for individual chief police officers to determine how best to allocate their resources in the light of their respective priorities. Although we have not made resources available to forces specifically to combat and investigate child abuse, the recent spending review has resulted in a significant boost in spending on the police generally. By 2003–04 total provision for the police will have risen by almost £1.6 billion against provision for this year.
We have not yet allocated any additional resources to child protection agencies but are currently considering representations from one agency on this matter.