HC Deb 21 November 2001 vol 375 cc353-4W
Mr. Rosindell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made on establishing closer co-operation across the European Union in the field of riot policing. [15158]

Mr. Bob Ainsworth

During the Belgian Presidency, officials of European Union member states (EU), including the European Police Chiefs Task Force, have held meetings to take forward the Conclusions of the Special Justice and Home Affairs Council on 13 July. This Council had considered security at European Summits and other major European Union events, following the disorder at the Gothenburg European Summit.

Discussions centred around building on existing police and judicial co-operation in this area, through the establishment of national contact points, to ensure enhanced exchange of information and effective co-operation before major events at which public order problems are anticipated.