HC Deb 19 September 2003 vol 410 cc1234-5W
Adam Price

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on the use of powers provided by the Terrorism Act 2000 to prevent lawful protests by anti-war protestors at RAF Fairford during the recent conflict in Iraq;[130339]

(2) what powers provided by the Terrorism Act 2000 were used to police anti-war protests at RAF Fairford during the recent conflict in Iraq;[130341]

(3) if he will make a statement on the issuing of section 44 notices under the terms of the Terrorism Act 2000, to anti-war protesters at RAF Fairford during the recent Iraq conflict.[130343]

Mr. Blunkett

Lawful protests were not prevented at RAF Fairford during the recent conflict in Iraq as a result of use of the Terrorism Act 2000.

The use of the stop and search powers under section 44 was authorised and confirmed according to statutory procedure for a designated area which included Fairford. They were therefore available to officers during the policing of the protests. Such powers are confirmed solely to enable officers to search for articles that could be used in connection with terrorism.

The issuing of individual stop and search notices was an operational matter for the police.

Adam Price

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the policing tactics used during anti-war protests at RAF Fairford during the recent conflict in Iraq.[130340]

Ms Blears

Gloucestershire constabulary coordinated a joint operation with the Ministry of Defence police who were responsible for policing on the base. In a complex operation, Gloucestershire constabulary deployed a significant number of police officers and operational tactics designed to facilitate peaceful protest and prevent terrorist activity or public disorder while maintaining the integrity of the outer perimeter of the base.

Adam Price

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the total policing costs at the anti-war protests at RAF Fairford during the recent conflict in Iraq.[130342]

Ms Blears

The Chief Constable of Gloucestershire constabulary informs me that the latest estimate of costs for the policing operation at RAF Fairford is of the order of £6.9 million.

The revised projection is a significant increase on previous estimates of around £3.3 million to £3.6 million.

Earlier this year my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary agreed to support the police authority with special grant towards the costs of the operation.

We are now considering the revised estimate with the police authority and the constabulary.