§ Mr. MacKayTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the cost of policing civil unrest continues to be a charge against the Northern Ireland grant; and what the cost of this policing has been in the 1998–99 financial year. [80914]
§ Mr. IngramProvision for the requirements of the Law and Order programmes is included within the overall Northern Ireland Departmental Expenditure Limit and will remain the responsibility of the Secretary of State after devolution.
The additional costs of the Royal Ulster Constabulary operations at Drumcree and elsewhere during July 1998 amounted to £11 million. Since July the additional costs incurred, in respect of the continuing presence needed to police the ongoing protest, are approximately £0.4 million per month.
536WThe costs of policing other public disorder during 1998–99 are not readily available and would incur disproportionate cost to provide.