§ Mr. Leightonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Metropolitan Police Commissioner as to how many Metropolitan police officers visited each of the following public houses in Wapping: (i) the Brown Bear, (ii) the Prospect of Whitby, (iii) Ivories Piano Bar and (iv) the Artful Dodger, on the evening of 24 January; what rank of officers were involved in each visit; how many arrests were made at each of the public houses; how many of the officers involved were wearing riot equipment; what injuries were suffered by officers and members of the public in each location; how many charges followed the arrests of persons located at each public house; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggI understand from the Commissioner that there is no record of on-duty police officers having entered any of these public houses on 24 January. The available information is that a total of three sergeants and 30 constables in oridnary uniform were deployed to police the area outside the Artful Dodger and Brown Bear public houses between about 10.45 pm and 11.15 pm. A total of four people were arrested for offences of drunkenness, using insulting words, and obstructing a police officer; three were charged and one was cautioned; no injuries to police officers or members of the public were reported. Information about other incidents which may have occurred outside other public houses during the course of the evening are not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.