§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state what additional measures were required to deal with the demonstration by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament in Parliament Square on Saturday, 24th March; how many police officers of all ranks were involved, including those receiving off-day allowances; what was the number of vehicles or coaches used and on hire; what was the number of special courts convened; what was the estimated cost in each case; and what percentage of the total expenditure falls to be payable by the Exchequer and what percentage from London local rates.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerSpecial arrangements were made for a sufficient number of police officers to be available to deal with the demonstration organised by the Committee of 100 on this occasion. 3,291 police officers of all ranks were involved. 163 vehicles, including 52 motor cycles and 46 hired motor coaches, were used. Two special courts were convened. The exact cost to the police and to the courts cannot be calculated; but the cost of police overtime and payment for duty performed on a rest day was about £4,125, and the cost of police transport was about £675, including £350 for hiring coaches. The police expenditure is shared between the Exchequer and the London rates. The court expenses are met partly by the Exchequer, partly from local rates, and partly from the central pool of fines and fees collected from magistrates' courts throughout the country.