HC Deb 16 June 1986 vol 99 cc409-10W
Mr. Cohen

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers have been seconded from Leyton and Leytonstone to assist in the policing of the industrial dispute at Wapping.

Mr. Giles Shaw

Officers deployed at various times at the News International plant at Wapping have been drawn from throughout the Metropolitan police district. I understand from the commissioner that while the information sought is not readily available in the form requested, officers from Leyton and Leytonstone police stations have performed duty at Wapping for 1,040 hours and 408 hours respectively.

Mr. Kaufman

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been to date (a) the cost to public funds of the police operation outside Mr. Rupert Murdoch's establishment at Wapping, (b) the proportion of total Metropolitan police manpower engaged in these operations, (c) the proportion of total Metropolitan police time taken up by these operations, (d) the effect of these operations on other Metropolitan police operations and (e) which anti-crime activities have specifically been affected.

Mr. Giles Shaw

I will reply as soon as possible.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the police have entered the Wapping premises of News International during the course of the current dispute.

Mr. Giles Shaw

I understand from the commissioner that on occasions the police have entered the premises of News International in connection with the prevention or detection of criminal offences.

Mr. Nellist

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many arrests have taken place at Wapping in connection with the print dispute from 18 May to 16 June.

Mr. Giles Shaw

One hundred and three, up to midnight on 15 June.

Mr. Dicks

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the cost of policing the demonstrations and pickets at the Wapping News International plant.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the total policing costs to date of the News International dispute at Wapping.

Mr. Giles Shaw

[pursuant to his replies, 8 May, c. 207, and 20 May, c. 126]: The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that the additional costs incurred in policing the News International dispute at Wapping up to 10 May are estimated at some £550,000.