§ Mr. Hoyleasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Greater Manchester as to the cost of Myra Hindley's visit to Saddleworth moor, as to what information was gained from it, as to why information was given to the media prior to this taking place, as to the security provided, as to the number of police engaged and their forces, and as to what assessment he made of the threat to security presented by the presence on the moor of a man armed with a knife.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe have received a preliminary report from the chief constable of Greater Manchester about the visit of Myra Hindley to Saddleworth moor on 16 December. At this stage, accurate costing for the operation is not available, but 135 officers from Greater Manchester police, Lancashire constabulary, West Yorkshire police, Kent constabulary, and the Metropolitan police were involved and a total of 1,590 hours of overtime were worked. The information provided by Miss Hindley during the visit indicated two sites where further investigation might prove valuable, one of which was not previously known to the police. The media were informed in advance only of Miss Hindley's offer to assist the police and not of authorisation for or timing of the visit. I understand that the presence on the moor of a man armed with a knife was not considered to be a serious threat and that he was at no time closer than two miles from Miss Hindley.