§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the range of fines imposed upon 621W persons convicted of offences related to activities during the miners' dispute for (a) breach of the peace where it is a first offence, (b) vandalism and (c) reckless conduct.
§ Mr. AncramI understand that in the period to 16 November 1984 fines have been imposed for charges of breach of the peace related to the miners' dispute ranging from £1 to £750 — no information is available on whether these charges were first offences — and that fines for charges of vandalism related to the miners' dispute have ranged from £20 — for vandalism and breach of the peace—to £100. I also understand that no fines were imposed for reckless conduct related to the miners' dispute in this period.
§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications for legal aid have been made by persons charged with offences related to picketing during the miners' dispute; how many have been accepted; and if he will list the figures for each area.
§ Mr. AncramThis information is not available.
§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many complaints have been made against the police in relation to activities during the course of the miners' dispute; and how many complaints have been upheld.
§ Mr. AncramI understand that 23 such complaints have been received by the police. Of these, 10 are currently being investigated by the procurator fiscal or the police force concerned. No criminal or disciplinary charges have been brought following investigation of the others.
§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many miners charged with offences related to picketing during the miners' dispute have (a) been refused bail and (b) had bail conditions imposed upon them which prevent them from visiting any premises or place for the purpose of picketing or demonstrating in connection with the current trade dispute other than peacefully to picket or demonstrate at their usual place of employment.
§ Mr. AncramFor the first part of his question, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 5 December, at columns346–47, by my hon. and learned Friend the Solicitor-General for Scotland to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, East (Mr. Strang). For the second part, information on the imposition of any special conditions of bail is not available centrally.
§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his latest estimate of the cost of policing during the miners' dispute; and what is his estimate of the cost for each police authority area.
§ Mr. AncramThe information is set out in the following table:
622W
Police authority area Estimated cost to mid-November 1984 (£'000) Central 144 Dumfries and Galloway Nil Fife 350 Grampian Nil Lothian and Borders 1,350 Northern Nil Strathclyde 1,910
Police authority area Estimated cost to mid-November 1984 (£'000) Tayside 65 Total 3,819 Note: These figures represent the extra costs incurred during the miners' dispute.
§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps have been taken by chief constables to enable pickets to communicate information to drivers of vehicles.
§ Mr. AncramI understand that, although practice varies in the light of particular circumstances, the police normally seek to allow a limited number of pickets the opportunity to indicate to drivers their wish to communicate information to them. This accords with the code of practice on picketing. There is no obligation on drivers to receive such information if they do not wish to do so, and pickets have no right under the law to stop drivers, or have them stopped, for this purpose.
§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the cumulative numbers of police officers who have been involved in activities associated with the current miners' strike; and if he will list the figure as a proportion of the total police force.
§ Mr. AncramThe information needed for any meaningful estimate of the kind requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.