§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 11 February,Official Report, column 773, about the future of Operation Container, in how many cases in Greater Manchester police officers were involved in the operation other than on rest day working; how many worked on their rest days at the latest date for which figures are available; what information was obtained by the prison service area manager for the Trans-Pennine area at his meeting on 5 February about the implications of police cell usage on police operations in Greater Manchester; and if he will make a further statement.
§ Mr. Peter LloydThe information requested is being obtained from the Greater Manchester police and I will write to the right hon. Member as soon as possible. As was explained in my answer of 11 February, the implications for the Greater Manchester police of the prisoners in police cells problem was discussed with senior head-quarters officers on 5 February. It was explained then that Operation Container had been run largely on the basis of rest day working.