§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what services were provided by members of the armed forces for purposes connected with the 1988 Conservative party conference; and what was the total cost involved.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonIn response to requests from the chief constable, Sussex constabulary, small numbers of military personnel were deployed to assist the police in searching the conference area for explosive devices and in potential bomb disposal tasks. In addition, the minesweeper, HMS Nurton, was. stationed off Brighton, and three rigid inflatable boats crewed by Royal Marines were provided to assist the police in patrolling inshore waters. In line with normal arrangements for such operations no charges for the small extra costs incurred by my Department for transport, accommodation, and so on, were made to the Sussex constabulary.