§ Mr. Tom Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the nature of the police and public sector exercises in Gartcosh, Lanarkshire, in the week beginning Monday 13 July; what were the costs involved; what steps were taken to inform the public in advance; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonA routine exercise to test contingency plans for emergency incidents was held by Strathclyde Police at Gartcosh over the period 7–11 July. Final costs are not yet to hand but I understand from the Chief Constable that the police budget for the exercise, which is unlikely to be exceeded, was £20,000. The costs of those Government Departments which were involved have not been separately assessed.
I further understand from the Chief Constable that prior notice of the exercise was given to householders in the immediate vicinity of the site but that one of the lessons learnt is that intimation could have been wider.