HC Deb 10 April 1975 vol 889 cc439-40W
Mr. Greville Janner

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many police were allocated to guard Alexander Shelepin and his party during their recent visit to Great Britain; and at what cost to the public;

(2) what he estimates the total cost to the British taxpayer was of the visit of Alexander Shelepin and his party to Great Britain.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the answer I gave this afternoon in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Mr. Moonman).

Mr. Greville Janner

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether licences for the carrying of guns were issued to Russian bodyguards of Alexander Shelepin and his party; and if so by whom.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

I explained the practice of chief officers of police in my reply to a Question by my hon. and learned Friend on 20th March—[Vol. 888, Cols.534–5]— but it would not be in the interests of security to publish specific information about particular cases.

Mr. Greville Janner

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when were visas, valid for the 30th March, issued to Alexander Shelepin and his party.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

Visas were issued in Moscow on 21st March and were valid for use from that date.

Dr. Boyson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost of providing police escorts to Mr. Shelepin during his recent visit.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

Police escorts, as such, were not provided during the visit. On the cost incurred by the police in connection with the visit I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave this afternoon in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Mr. Moonman).