§ Mr. CartwrightTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what discussions he has had with the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police about the use of Public Order Act powers to remove illegal travellers' encampments; and with what result;
(2) on how many occasions Public Order Act powers have been used in the Metropolitan police area to remove illegal travellers' encampments; and in which local authority areas.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggIt is an operational matter for the senior police officer present at the scene of an unlawful occupation to decide whether or not in all the circumstances it would be appropriate to use the power in section 39 of the Public Order Act 1986. I understand that the Metropolitan police do not collect statistics on the use of the power and the information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.