§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the legal powers and jurisdiction of the Military Provost guard service over(a) members of the public, (b) civilian employees of his Department, (c) defence contractors and (d) service dependants. [38339]
§ Mr. SoamesIn the absence of special legislation or other emergency powers, members of the Military Provost guard service, like all service personnel in Great Britain, have the same general powers as a private citizen when dealing with crime or when helping the civil police. They may also have powers in respect of any person committing an offence under Military Lands Act 1892 byelaws if so authorised by those byelaws.
738W
§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what grounds Chilwell station was selected as a site for the pilot study into the Military Provost guard service. [38341]
§ Mr. SoamesThe sites chosen for the Military Provost guard service pilot scheme were selected as representative of the different types of Army establishments at which it is proposed to replace Ministry of Defence police employed only on guarding duties with Military Provost guard service personnel.
§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he has for the Military Provost guard service to function outside the perimeter fence of an MOD establishment in(a) an unarmed capacity and (b) an armed capacity. [38337]
§ Mr. SoamesMilitary Provost guard service personnel, like other service personnel, would undertake general security patrols off-base as required by the unit's commanding officer. There is close co-operation with the local police over security arrangements for protecting Defence property and personnel. Armed patrolling by service personnel off-base takes place only if specifically authorised by the local chief constable.
§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations have taken place between his Department and the chief constable of the Nottinghamshire constabulary regarding(a) the replacement of Ministry of Defence police stationed at Chilwell with the Ministry Provost guard service and (b) the planned role and tasking of the Military Provost guard service, (i) within and (ii) outside the perimeter fence of Chilwell station and Chetwynd barracks. [38338]
§ Mr. SoamesNone so far. There will, however, be full discussions with the Nottinghamshire constabulary about security and policing arrangements to protect Defence personnel and property in the Chilwell area.
§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the advantages of piloting the Military Provost guard service scheme at locations where the level of security is not so great as to require constabulary powers. [38342]
§ Mr. SoamesThe pilot scheme sites have been chosen to reflect the different types of Army establishments at which the Military Provost guard service could be deployed. There would be no advantage in confining the pilot scheme to locations at which there is no requirement for constabulary powers. At those sites where a civil police presence is required, it will continue to be provided by the Ministry of Defence or the local police.