§ Mr. William Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the cost of policing the Orange procession through the Gortalowry estate in Cookstown on 936W 12 July; what was the cost in 1984, and how many incidents there were which required police action on either occasion.
§ Mr. Scott[pursuant to his reply, 24 July 1985]: No information is available for 1984. Precise details of the cost of policing the Orange Order parades in Cookstown on 12 July 1985 could be provided only at disproportionate cost, but an estimate shows it to have been in the region of £1,130. It is not possible to say how many incidents required police action.
§ Mr. William Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the processions which took place in Northern Ireland between 1 March 1985 and 30 April 1985 in respect of which the prescribed notice was not received by the police; if he will indicate in each case whether (a) masked men or (b) armed men were observed by the police or of whose presence the police have photographic evidence; and if he will state in each case how many persons have been charged in connection with such a procession.
§ Mr. William Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received and from what sources requesting a ban on the Apprentice Boys 12 August demonstration in Londonderry city; whether, in deciding whether to impose a ban on demonstrations of this type, he seeks the advice of the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary regarding the practicality of re-routeing the procession; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Scott[pursuant to his reply, 24 July 1985]: My right hon. Friend has received no such representations. In deciding whether to use his powers to prohibit a public procession, he considers a range of factors, including police advice.