HC Deb 28 January 1997 vol 289 cc140-1W
Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will list the police forces that have received training as part of a scheme sponsored by Her Majesty's Government since 1988, detailing where and when the training took place and how much the training for each force cost; [11887]

(2) if he will list the foreign police forces trained by private companies under the scheme sponsored by Her Majesty's Government since 1988, indicating where and when the training took place, the name of the companies involved and the nature of the training provided; [11886]

(3) if he will list the police forces which, as part of a scheme sponsored by Her Majesty's Government, (a) received counter-terrorist or counter-insurgency training and (b) have been trained by the British Special Forces since 1988, in each case indicating where and when the training took place and how much the training of each force cost. [11888]

Mr. David Davis

Police and security forces receiving training sponsored by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office diplomatic wing, and Overseas Development Administration assistance for police training, were listed in the answer given by the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood (Ms Short) on 31 October 1996,Official Report, columns 218–19, and in the answers given by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office to the hon. Member for Cardiff, Central (Mr. Jones) on 14 May 1966, Official Report, columns 386–87, and on 28 February 1996, Official Report, columns 546–47. Details of overseas police training sponsored by the Ministry of Defence were provided in the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces to the hon. Lady on 12 December 1996, Official Report, columns 343–44. Serving police officers from foreign forces have occasionally undertaken periods of academic study sponsored by Her Majesty's Government, but it would involve disproportionate cost to try to establish a record of this additional police study in the United Kingdom.

The training of police and security forces sponsored by Her Majesty's Government took place during the period 1988 to 1996 at the Bramshill police college, other training establishments in the United Kingdom and in the countries concerned.

The Overseas Development Administration employs some retired police officers, some of whom have established themselves as private companies, to provide consultancy advice and training. They have also employed the Royal Institute of Public Administration. Prior to 1996, there was no other Foreign and Commonwealth Office-sponsored training of police and security forces by private companies. In 1996, the FCO diplomatic wing sponsored a pilot project involving private sector training of police forces from Malaysia and Cyprus.

On the basis of the figures for financial years 1994 to 1996, we estimate that about 1,200 overseas police and security force personnel have received training sponsored by the FCO diplomatic wing. It would not be possible for the whole period, except at disproportionate cost, to separate the costs of this police training from the costs of the UK military training and assistance scheme as a whole. However, in 1995–96, the average cost of such training was £1,886 per person.

Hitherto, the nature and content of bilateral military and associated police training programmes have been regarded as confidential between Governments because it has been judged that their disclosure would risk damaging our international relations. This practice is now being reviewed against the background of the Government's commitment to openness. The House will be informed of the results of the review in due course.