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Early day motion tabled by primary sponsor John Austin (Labour), on Wednesday, 12 February 1997, in the House of Commons. It is signed by 23 members in total.

METROPOLITAN POLICE COSTS AND COUNCIL TAX

That this House is concerned that Londoners face a 14.4 per cent. increase in the share of council tax which goes to meet policing costs in the capital; is horrified that the Home Secretary has described this as 'a modest increase', particularly at a time when the overall number of police officers has fallen by 649, of whom 599 were police constables; recalls that the Prime Minister made a pledge to provide resources to increase police numbers nationally by 5000; demands to know where London's share of those extra resources has been spent; is concerned at the transfer of the burden of the cost of policing from central government to council taxpayers; wishes to know why Londoners are being asked to pay more for fewer police officers whilst experiencing the worst crime clear-up rate in the country; and calls upon the Home Secretary, in his capacity as the Police Authority for London, to arrange for a debate on policing in London at the earliest opportunity before the Dissolution.

Amendments

The Early day motion has received an amendment.

METROPOLITAN POLICE COSTS AND COUNCIL TAX (527A1)
The Early day motion has received an amendment sponsored by Richard Tracey (primary, Conservative) and tabled on Wednesday, 19 February 1997. It has been signed by 14 members in total.
leave out from 'House' to end and add 'notes that since 1979 spending on the Metropolitan Police has incresed by almost 90 per cent. after allowing for inflation; notes that there are around 4,600 more police officers now in the Metropolitan Police than in 1979; notes that next year, 1997-98, the Metropolitan Police will be able spend an extra ??55 million-an increase of 3.4 per cent. on 1996-97; notes that the next year's settlement will allow the Commissioner for the Metropolitan Police to increase officer strength during 1997 to 27,400; notes that the Metropolitan Police will receive nearly ??3.4 million in 1996-97 rising to ??10 million in 1997-98 to recruit extra police constables; notes that the council taxpayers of Greater London contribute only 8 per cent. towards the cost of policing the capital compared to an average of 12 per cent. throughout England and Wales; notes that the Government will provide a special grant of ??130 million to the Metropolitan Police next year in recognition of the extra burdens associated with the capital city; and notes that the Shadow Chancellor has emphatically stated that he would stand by the Government's published spending plans.'.

Secondary information

Type
Early day motion
Reference
527 
527A1 
Session
1996-97
Subjects
Costs Council tax Metropolitan Police
Link
View this Early day motion on www.parliament.uk