§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the current police policy in relation to the use of empty property for the use of surveillance within the Metropolitan police district;
(2) what is the current Metropolitan police policy with regard to the use of council-owned property; and what procedures are adopted in contacting local councils when the need for the use of council property for surveillance arises.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggI understand from the Commissioner that the police use of vacant premises, including council-owned property, is arranged by application to the person in control of the property, which in the case of council property is an official of the borough council concerned.
§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide information on the costs of reorganising the Metropolitan police, to include the costs, actual and planned, of rehabilitating and adapting buildings and providing new and additional facilities.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggI shall reply as soon as possible.