HC Deb 06 November 2000 vol 356 cc112-3W
Miss Widdecombe

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) arrests were made and (b) charges have been brought in relation to the recent fuel crisis; and if he will make a statement. [136311]

Mr. Straw

In England and Wales, 32 people were arrested as a result of the fuel protests in early September. In addition, 62 people were reported for summons, predominantly drivers of vehicles wilfully obstructing the highway. Information on the number of charges brought is not centrally available.

Miss Widdecombe

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what emergency procedures his Department put in place during the recent fuel crisis; what reporting requirements were placed on local authorities and others in relation to the disruption and availability of fuel supplies; how the reports were(a) delivered and (b) distributed; and if he will make a statement. [136314]

Mr. Straw

Ministers and officials across Departments met regularly as the Civil Contingencies Committee. The Home Office Emergency Operations Centre was opened, and other Departments involved activated their own special arrangements. All of these were coordinated by operations based in the Cabinet Office.

Regular situation reports on all aspects of the situation, including from local authorities, were commissioned and distributed as appropriate by email or fax.

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