HC Deb 23 July 1990 vol 177 cc70-1W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many persons have been removed from RAF Greenham Common since 12 July.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Members of the public were escorted from RAF Greenham Common on 128 occasions between 12 and 22 July 1990. This figure does not refer to 128 different people as many individuals have been escorted from the base on more than one occasion.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current policy of the Ministry of Defence police towards members of the public walking within the confines of the perimeter fence at RAF Greenham Common.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

RAF Greenham Common is Ministry of Defence property and there is no general right of access to it. The current policy of the Ministry of Defence police towards members of the public walking within the confines of the perimeter fence at the station is that trespassers who have committed no criminal damage will be escorted from the site, while persons who are suspected to having committed an offence, for example criminal damage, will be arrested and charged accordingly. The police wil not prevent the valid exercise of commoners' rights by those who are entitled to do so.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many arrests there have been within the confines of the perimeter fence at RAF Greenham Common since 12 July.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

There were 16 arrests within the confines of the perimeter fence at RAF Greenham Common between 12 and 22 July, all in connection with instances of criminal damage.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if members of the public found within the confines of the perimeter fence at RAF Greenham Common are requested to leave before being placed into Ministry of Defence police vehicles.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

It is Ministry of Defence policy that members of the public found within the confines of the perimeter fence at RAF Greenham Common are requested to leave before being escorted off the base. For their own safety, trespassers are always taken to the base exit in MOD vehicles if it is beyond reasonable walking distance.