HC Deb 16 June 1988 vol 135 c192W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the nature and purpose of the recently developed police and military joint tactical doctrine.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

The primary responsibility for the internal security of the United Kingdom rests with the police, whether in peacetime or in war. Under common law the armed forces are required to make their best endeavours to come to the aid of the police if requested to do so. The joint tactical doctrine reaffirms those general principles in relation to planning and operational liaison between the police and the military during times of crisis and war.