§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what representations he has received concerning the cost of policing the miners' dispute on Merseyside; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will make a statement on the cost of policing the miners' dispute borne by Merseyside county council details of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Liverpool, Riverside.
§ Mr. HurdA letter has been received from Merseyside county council. My right hon. and learned Friend has not received information on the costs from the hon. Member. He announced in reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Sherwood (Mr. Stewart) on 11 May at column 483–84 the details of a special payment that he is prepared to make, in addition to police grant in respect of approved additional expenditure arising from the policing of the miners' dispute. I cannot yet say whether or to what extent the Merseyside police authority will benefit from this special payment.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the cost to the latest available date to Merseyside county council for policing the miners' dispute at the latest available date.
§ Mr. HurdI understand that the Merseyside police calculate that up to 13 May the additional costs to them 131W arising from the policing of the miners' dispute, including the provision of mutual aid to other forces, were some £2.1 million. Some of this will be recovered from other forces.