HC Deb 25 June 1984 vol 62 cc328-9W
Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the Association of Metropolitan Authorities concerning the cost of overtime in policing the miners' dispute; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hurd

When my right hon. and learned Friend met representatives of the Association of Metropolitan Authorities on 18 June to discuss the policing of the miners' dispute, they expressed concern about the level of overtime being worked to maintain police cover in forces supplying officers on mutual aid for policing the dispute and suggested that the cost of this overtime should be borne by central Government. He reminded the representatives of the arrangements on this point set out in his statement of 11 May at columns 483–84 and undertook to consider their representations but made it clear that he could give no commitment.

Mr. O'Brien

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) why he has not replied to letters from the hon. Member for Normanton dated 26 March and 2 April concerning the involvement of the police in the miners' dispute;

(2) why he has not acknowledged the copy letter recording complaints from Mr. Jones from Normanton, West Yorkshire, incorporated in the letter of the hon. Member for Normanton of 2 April; and if he will now act on this matter.

Mr. Hurd

Because of the pressure of work resulting from matters related to the dispute. A reply will be sent to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Mr. Rowe

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the injuries sustained by the police on picket line duty since the commencement of the miners' strike.

Mr. Hurd

The information requested is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Between 14 March and 20 June, 424 police officers had been injured in policing events connected with the dispute.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his reply of 11 May, Official Report, columns 483–4, if he will now take steps to collect and keep a record of the amount of police overtime payments being made in connection with the current dispute in the mining industry.

Mr. Hurd

No.