§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the registration numbers of miners' cars that the police consider may contain pickets have been placed on the police national computer.
§ Mr. HurdChief constables may make use of the police national computer in discharging their operational responsibilities. Guidelines for its use are set out in the code of practice for the protection of personal data held on police national computer, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. I am therefore making inquiries of chief constables in the areas concerned.
§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether arrangements on policing undertaken by the Association of Chief Police Officers in connection with the mining industry are undertaken at his request; if they require his Department's approval; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Terlezkiasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many coal miners have died as a result of the present strikes; and how many injured coal miners and police there have been so far.
§ Mr. HurdBetween 14 March and 11 April inclusive one person died during events related to the miners' dispute. The inquest into the death has been adjourned pending the outcome of police investigations. During the same period 63 police officers were injured. Information as to the number of other people injured is not available.
§ Mr. Marlowasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for reports from the chief constables concerned (a) as to the number of arrests arising from the coal mining dispute, (b) the numbers of charges by category, (c) the numbers and levels of fines awarded, (d) the number of periods of imprisonment awarded, (e) the number of cases of violence reported and (f) the number of cases of vandalism and malicious damage reported, and, in the last two categories, if he will set out in each case the charges since preferred.
§ Mr. HurdThe information available centrally from chief officers of police in England and Wales is as follows:418W
Number of arrests for activities related to the miners' dispute 14 March to 11 April inclusive Force area Number Derbyshire 137 Durham 8 Essex 1 Greater Manchester 4 Humberside 1 Leicestershire 8 Merseyside 6 Northumbria 33 Nottinghamshire 491 South Wales 58 South Yorkshire 61 Staffordshire 60 Warwickshire 42 Total 910 When it has been possible to end the current police operations, my right hon. and learned Friend will consider what information about charges and the outcome of court proceedings it will be appropriate to obtain from chief officers and to publish.