§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he received from the Metropolitan police concerning the question of450W 20 November, Official Report, column 621, from the hon. Member for Newport, West on the cost of the state opening of Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [8021]
§ Mr. Maclean[holding answer 6 December 1996]: The Metropolitan police provided a rough estimate of £286,200 for the cost of policing the state opening of Parliament. This figure was, however, not a proper costing. It did not take into account the cost of the normal duties which the officers would otherwise have undertaken; it did not include pre-event planning or post-event debriefs and it was worked out on the basis of a complete eight hour tour of duty for all staff using average manpower cost figures and a ready reckoner. It also excluded the cost of permanent Palace of Westminster staff. It was not, therefore, an accurate reflection of the additional costs to the Metropolitan police nor of the total costs which had been incurred. The extent to which Metropolitan police officers are deployed to police a public order event is an operational decision for the commissioner.