HC Deb 01 July 1977 vol 934 c373W
Mr. Canavan

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimated cost to public funds of the police presence at the Grunwick picket line.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

This information could not be obtained without disproportionate effort and cost.

Mr. Canavan

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any assessment has been made of the effect of the police presence at Grunwick on the adequacy of policing elsewhere in London; and what action he proposes to take to ensure that there is no resultant increase in crime elsewhere in London.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

It is a feature of police work, particularly in the Metropolitan Police district, that substantial resources have to be made available from time to time to deal with major incidents. This inevitably affects police cover elsewhere, but the calls are spread widely to minimise the effect on any one area. These arrangements are an operational matter for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.