HC Deb 09 May 1986 vol 97 cc259-60W
Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many ambulances were called by the Metropolitan police to Wapping on 3 May.

Mr. Giles Shaw

I understand that as a result of police telephone calls nine ambulances attended during the evening.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers from Newham were on duty in Wapping on the night of 3 May.

Mr. Giles Shaw

Seventy-nine.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will hold an inquiry into the events outside the News International plant in Wapping on 3 May.

Mr. Giles Shaw

No. Any complaints against the police will be dealt with according to the procedures approved by Parliament. I understand that 65 people have been charged with offences in connection with the disorders. The courts will deal with those cases in the usual way.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers were injured outside the News International plant in Wapping on 3 May; and how many needed hospital treatment.

Mr. Giles Shaw

One hundred and seventy five officers were injured, 43 of whom required hospital treatment.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has of the number of members of the public injured outside the News International plant in Wapping on 3 May; and how many required hospital treatment.

Mr. Giles Shaw

The Commissioner understands that 29 members of the public received hospital treatment. Information about other injuries is not available.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers were on duty in connection with the dispute in Wapping on Saturday 3 May; and what was the cost.

Mr. Leighton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police were on duty at Wapping on Saturday 3 May; what was the cost; what has been the total cost of policing this dispute so far; what are the names and ranks of the police officers injured at Wapping on 3 May; what were their injuries; what were the names of the hospitals they were treated in; and what is the date of their return to duty.

Mr. Giles Shaw

I understand from the Commissioner that 1,744 police officers were deployed on the evening of 3 May. One hundred and seventy five officers between and including the ranks of constable and superintendent were injured, the injuries ranging from concussion, cuts and bruises to burns to the head. Those officers whose injuries required hospital treatment were all taken to the London hospital. Information about their return to duty and the cost of police operations on that night and since the dispute began is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Winnick

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what has been the average number of police per day stationed outside the News International works, Wapping, since the industrial dispute began;

(2) what is the total amount of police time spent at the News International works, Wapping, since the industrial dispute started.

Mr. Giles Shaw

[pursuant to his reply, 28 April 1986, c. 302]: The number of police officers held available for deployment at the News International plant varies from day to day and hour to hour, from a minimum of about 25 to a maximum of about 1,800, depending on the current or likely public order situation. Up to and including 25 April it is estimated that approximately 350,000 police man hours have been spent at or near the plant in connection with the dispute.