§ Mr. Corbynasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he has any figures for the number of pickets injured whilst attempting to talk to workers entering Barking hospital;
(2) what measures the Metropolitan police are taking to ensure that the cleaners presently on strike at Barking hospital are able to exercise their legal right peacefully to picket their place of work free from outside harassment;
(3) how many person hours have been spent policing the picket line at Barking hospital; and what has been the total cost of policing the picket line so far.
§ Mr. HurdThe Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that his officers are present at events at the hospital in order to perform their duties of maintaining the peace and preventing or dealing with criminal offences. As at 6 June, the police know of no injury to anyone engaged in the picketing. Between 19 March and 31 May, some 3,092 man hours were spent on relevant duties, at an estimated total cost of £44,150.