HC Deb 30 June 1994 vol 245 c699W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what arrangements have been made by his Department for private investigators to gather data on protesters against road schemes, other than the contract awarded to Bray's detective agency regarding Twyford down.

Mr. Key

As the information requested relates to operational matters of the Highways Agency, I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Harry Cohen, dated 28 June 1994: I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about whether any arrangements have been made for the use of private investigators, other than at Twyford Down, to gather data on protestors against road schemes. In addition to the contract awarded to Brays Detective Agency for the M3 extension at Twyford Down, the Highways Agency have made arrangements for the gathering of information about protestors against road schemes at three other locations. The Agency will be using the information gathered to ensure that the progress of these particular schemes, which have all successfully completed the statutory procedures, is not unduly disrupted and that they can he completed as quickly as possible.