HC Deb 25 February 1993 vol 219 cc691-2W
Mr. Denham

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance was issued by his Department to Bray's Detective Agency (Southampton) Ltd. in relation to their investigation of protesters at Twyford Down, Hampshire; what monitoring of the activities of the firm was carried out by his Department to ensure such guidance was adhered to; and if he will place a copy of such guidance in the Library.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

[holding answer 22 February 1993]: Bray's Detective Agency (Southampton) Ltd. was appointed to serve papers on people who have trespassed on departmental land and to photograph trespassers. It was not considered necessary to issue guidance for the execution of these tasks.

Mr. Denham

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultations took place between his Department and its contractors on the Twyford Down project over the hiring of a private security firm and over the deployment of this firm on 9 December 1992.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

[holding answer 22 February 1993]: Site security is the responsibility of the contractor. In this case, the contractors consulted the Department before employing an experienced security firm to protect the site from intrusion by trespassers.

Mr. Denham

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to reply to the letter sent to him on 21 January by the hon. Member for Southampton, Itchen, regarding the use of private detective agencies and private security guards at Twyford Down, Hampshire.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

[holding answer 22 February 1993]: Soon.

Mr. Denham

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidelines have been established by his Department(a) for the use of private security firms on his Department's land and (b) for use when considering whether to employ private detectives; and if he will place a copy of the guidelines in the Library.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

[holding answer 22 February 1993]: Private security firms and detectives are used infrequently. No guidelines have been established.

Mr. Denham

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what is the total sum of moneys paid to Bray's Detective Agency (Southampton) Ltd. by his Department since February 1992; and if he will place a copy of its contract of employment in the Library;

(2) what was the method of appointment used in the selection of Bray's Detective Agency (Southampton) Ltd.; and what criteria were used in the selection.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

[holding answer 22 February 1993]: The agency was appointed on the recommendation of the engineer. No formal contract was made. To date, the agency has been paid approximately £7,000.

Mr. Cryer

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what considerations underlay his decisions to forbid Group 4 Security Ltd. from making a statement to the television programme "Dispatches" in relation to its employment by his Department at Twyford Down; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

I took the view that as overall responsibility for the M3 scheme rests with my right hon. Friend, I should issue a single statement to the makers of the "Dispatches" television programme about the action taken to progress this scheme.