§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will state the police district which covers and deals with security arrangements at the House of Commons, Buckingham Palace and the Westminster area and, since October 1979, the numbers of breaches of security that have occurred in this police district in public buildings and the dates and details of such incidents; and what action was taken against those responsible for these breaches in security.
§ Mr. WhitelawThe City of Westminster is policed in part by A, C and D districts of the Metropolitan Police. Buckingham Palace and the Palace of Westminster are within A district. I indicated in my statement on 21 July—[Vol. 28, c. 397–407]—the nature of the previous arrangements for the discharge of police responsibilities in respect of security at Buckingham Palace and explained the new arrangements that have been instituted. Responsibility for security at the Palace of Westminster rests primarily with the authorities of both Houses. Such of the detailed information sought in respect of all public buildings within A district as may be available to the police could be collated centrally only at disproportionate cost.