Birmingham Northern Relief Road (Policing)

HC Deb 17 December 1998 vol 322 c746W

Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the liability of MEL in respect of the policing costs arising from the Birmingham Northern Relief Road; and if he will make a statement. [63910]

Mr. Boateng

We would normally expect the cost of policing operations such as the construction of the Birmingham Northern Relief Road to be met by forces from within their existing budgets. Nevertheless, we are considering bids for extra funding from the three forces concerned in respect of their estimated additional costs.

I understand from the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions that there is no liability on MEL to meet the policing costs of constructing and operating the Birmingham Northern Relief Road.