§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will reimburse the Metropolitan Police Authority for the additional costs above budget incurred in preparing for and policing the 1 May protests in London; and if he will make a statement; [160918]
(2) what estimates he has made of the additional costs to that for which budget provision exists of the 1 May protests in London. [160919]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeCosts of policing operational activities are matters for the police authorities and chief police officers concerned. Such costs are met from the budgets and reserves held by each authority. I have made no estimates of the costs incurred on the 1 May protests.
The additional cost of public order events in London is already partly reflected in a special payment for national and capital city functions which is added to the annual police grant for the Metropolitan Police Authority. The special payment is £191 million in 2001–02.
I am prepared to consider applications from forces for special grant towards extraordinary costs which may be incurred from time to time in exceptional circumstances. The normal criteria for grant are that the event could not reasonably have been anticipated and financial provision made; that the cost is a significant proportion of the force budget; and that having to meet the cost unaided would materially affect the efficiency of the force concerned.