§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has now received reports from the chief constable of Hampshire police concerning the police operation in the area of Longmoor base, Hampshire, between Thursday 15 November and Tuesday 20 November; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThis reply also includes information pursuant to my reply on 29 November, at column 546.
My right hon. and learned Friend has now received and considered a report from the chief constable. The chief constable reports that Mrs. Badcock and her daughter were arrested by soldiers on the evening of 16 November, on military land near Longmoor camp, for trespassing on military land. At the time of their arrest Mrs. Badcock and her daughter were some distance from the military holding areas which were being used for handling people arrested for intruding on military land. Police officers at the scene agreed to transport Mrs. Badcock and her daughter to the holding area in their vehicle because of the distance involved and, on arrival at the holding area, handed them over to the military to be processed. Later, they were handed over to the police and were removed from the military land and released without charge.
Police officers were not guarding Longmoor base.