§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Prime Minister, pursuant to her answer of 13 January, Official Report, column 521, what were the total costs and numbers of personnel involved in the exercise at Heathrow airport.
§ The Prime MinisterThe exercises are part of the training of the troops concerned, and no significant additional costs were incurred. The numbers deployed have varied on the different occasions. It would not be in the interests of security to reveal how many are normally deployed or are available for this task.
§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Prime Minister, pursuant to her answer of 13 January, Official Report, column 521, whether the Home Secretary, as the police authority for London, was informed of the decision to send military personnel to Heathrow airport.
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§ The Prime MinisterYes.
§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Prime Minister, pursuant to her answer of 13 January, Official Report, column 521, what were the reasons for the deployment of military personnel at Heathrow airport; and on what dates the exercises were carried out.
§ The Prime MinisterThese exercises are held at the request of the police and with the approval of my right hon. Friends the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Defence. They are held to familiarise the troops concerned with the duties they would carry out in an emergency, and for deterrent purposes. They have been carried out on the following dates:
Heathrow 14 May 1981 1 June 4 March 17 October 5 August 26 November 3 December 19 December 1982 1985 10 February 18 March 25 June 4 April 17 August 30 April 23 November 26 June 5 July 1983 15 August 4 March 14 October 6 July 21 July Gatwick 28 September 1983 29 November 1 December 20 December 1986 1984 1 January to 9 January 12 January
§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Prime Minister, pursuant to her answer of 13 January, Official Report, column 521, on how many occasions firearms were issued to military personnel on exercises at Heathrow airport.
§ The Prime MinisterFirearms are a normal part of the equipment of the troops concerned, and have been issued on each occasion when exercises at Heathrow have been carried out.