HC Deb 17 July 1984 vol 64 cc86-7W
Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the policing of the miners' dispute.

Mr. Hurd

Major policing operations have continued to be necessary to ensure that people who wish to go to work may do so in the face of attempts to obstruct and close by force sites involved in the coal industry and other industrial sites. In some areas, the police have also had to devote considerable resources to prevent or deal with acts of intimidation. Both we and chief officers hope that the police can resume their normal duties as soon as possible.

Mr. Canavan

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with police authorities about the use of the police during the miners' strike.

Mr. Hurd

On 29 March, my right hon. and learned Friend met representatives of the Nottinghamshire police authority; on 12 and 18 June respectively members of the Association of County Councils and of the Association of Metropolitan Authorities, including representatives of police authorities on both occasions; and on 4 July, members of Derbyshire county council, including representatives of the police authority. The discussions at these meetings were concerned primarily with the costs of policing events related to the miners' dispute.

Mr. Dubs

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations he has had with the Metropolitan Police Commissioner with regard to the use of police officers outside London, in connection with the miners' strike.

Mr. Hurd

None.

Mr. Renton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements have been made to pay to local authorities the special grants which the Government have offered to make available to police authorities towards certain additional expenditure as a result of the miners' dispute.

Mr. Brittan

Guidance will be issued shortly to police authorities about the submission of claims for special assistance. Parliamentary approval for the expenditure on a new subhead will be sought in a Supplementary Estimate for the police, magistrates' courts, probation, community service and other grants Vote (class IX, vote 6). Pending that approval, the necessary expenditure will be met by repayable advances from the Contingencies Fund.