§ 69. Mr. G. Campbellasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he is aware of proposals to hold a much larger demonstration in London than ever before in the near future; and what action he is taking.
§ Mr. CallaghanI am in touch about these matters with the Acting Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, and have asked him to keep me informed.
§ 70. Mr. G. Campbellasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what consideration is being given to methods of keeping under control demonstrations in London consisting of 100,000 persons or more.
§ Mr. CallaghanThis is a matter for the Acting Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, with whom I am in touch.
Mr. Alan Lee Williamsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many extra policemen were employed on Sunday 17th March in Central London to control the Vietnam protest demonstrations; how many policemen as a result were forced to forgo their rest day; and what were the costs to public funds as a result of the special precautions taken.
§ Mr. Callaghan1,437 police officers were employed in connection with the Vietnam Ad Hoc Committee demonstration on 17th March; 557 had their rest day postponed. Additional expenditure was incurred on transport and refreshments, and is likely to be incurred on overtime, but it is not possible, without a disproportionate expenditure of time and effort, and extensive research, to establish the exact total cost.
§ Mr. Hamlingasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what was the cost of overtime and special duty on the part of the Metropolitan Police involved in controlling the demonstrations in Trafalgar Square and outside the American Embassy on Sunday, 17th March, 1968.
§ Mr. CallaghanI would refer my hon. Friend to my reply today to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Horn-church (Mr. Alan Williams).