asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what current limitations exist on the amount of overtime that may be worked by any member of the Metropolitan police, or restrictions on the mileage over any given period and the use of its road vehicles.

[pursuant to his reply, 28 April 1987, c. 63]: I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that it is his policy that overtime should be authorised only when it is operationally necessary. A total of £59·2 million has been set aside for overtime payments to Metropolitan police officers during the present financial year. Divisions and branches of the force have been given allocations from the total, and it is the responsibility of senior officers locally to use the allocation to best effect. They are also expected to ensure that vehicles are used effectively, efficiently and economically.