HC Deb 15 May 1985 vol 79 cc124-5W
Mr. Eldon Griffiths

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the costs to the Metropolitan police of deploying police officers away from their duties in suburban areas for the purpose of policing marches and demonstrations in central London over each of the past five years.

Mr. Giles Shaw

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that information is not maintained in a form which would enable such an assessment to be made. It is, however, the commissioner's policy to ensure, whenever possible, that aid from the divisions for such purposes is provided within officers' normal tours of duty so as to minimise overtime, which normally represents the major element in any additional costs of policing marches and demonstrations.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many hours of police overtime the Metropolitan police were required to work for the purpose of policing marches and demonstrations in central London in each of the years since 1980.

Mr. Giles Shaw

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that this information is not available.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the total amount (a) invoiced for and (b) received by the Metropolitan police for police services from (i) sporting events, excluding football, (ii) private companies, (iii) nationalised industries and (iv) ceremonial events for each of the past three complete financial years;

(2) what was the total amount received by the Metropolitan police in each of the past five years for policing services other than from statutory funding sources.

Mr. Giles Shaw

I shall reply as soon as possible.

Mr. Norman Atkinson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice he has given to the Metropolitan police as to their present relationship with local authority police units; and whether this includes advising local police commanders to refuse precise information in regard to police matters when such information is requested by London borough councils.

Mr. Giles Shaw

My right hon. and learned Friend has given no specific guidance on this matter. It is the policy of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis to meet reasonable requests for information from local authorities, as from any other body or individual, unless there are good operational or other reasons not to do so.

Mr. Norman Atkinson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider ways of establishing a close relationship between the Metropolitan police and the London borough of Haringey police subcommittee; and if he will set down guidelines for the future development of local authority police units.

Mr. Giles Shaw

No, but we hope that all borough and district councils in the Metropolitan police district will participate in arrangements made under section 106 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 for consultation between the police and the community. My right hon. and learned Friend issued guidance on these arrangements on 25 January, which made it clear that councillors should be part of the consultative process. I regret such arrangements do not yet exist in Haringey because the borough council has so far refused to take part.