§ Lord Mason of Barnsleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
On how many occasions since 1945 they have called upon the armed forces to assist in maintaining law and order and to protect essential services during national strikes and national demonstrations, giving the dates, the reasons for the call out during each stoppage, the duration of each stoppage and the estimated cost of each operation. [HL3992]
§ Lord Bassam of BrightonThe armed forces have not been called upon since 1945 to assist in maintaining law and order during national strikes and national demonstrations. They have, however, been called upon on a number of occasions to ensure that emergency services are maintained at essential levels72WA during industrial disputes. The last occasion when this happened was in 1998 during industrial action by the Essex Fire Brigade.
The further information requested is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.