§ Lord Simon of Glaisdaleasked Her Majesty's Government:
What has been the cost to public funds of providing personal protection to Mr. Salman Rushdie by reason of threats consequent on publication of The Satanic Verses; whether they are able to estimate how much money sales of the book have generated for Mr. Rushdie; what Mr. Rushdie has offered towards the cost of his protection; and what has been their response to any such offer.
§ Viscount UllswaterIt would not be proper to disclose information about police protection which would indicate its scale in a particular case. The police have taken the action they consider appropriate and Mr. Rushdie's private means are immaterial. The amount of money the sale ofThe Satanic Verses has generated for Mr. Rushdie is not a matter for Her Majesty's Government.