§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy on policing MoD areas 24 hours a day; what was his Department's budget for such policing for(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 and (d) 1998–99; what assessment he has made of such policing (i) nationally and (ii) in Gloucestershire; what discussions he has had with RAF Command Security about this issue; and if he will make a statement. [69505]
§ Mr. Doug HendersonThe Ministry of Defence Police provide a civilian policing service to the Ministry of Defence and are available to provide a response 24 hours a day from police officers based at MOD establishments, mobile Area Police Teams, and other specialist services.
My Department's expenditure on MOD police has been as follows:
Year £ million 1995–96 134 1996–97 130 1997–98 134 The forecast expenditure for 1998–99 is £137 million.
The requirement for Ministry of Defence Police is kept under continual assessment both nationally across the Department and at individual Establishments and geographical areas of the Defence Estate. Gloucestershire is included in these assessments. RAF Command Security are fully involved in these discussions.
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