§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost has been to his Department of the use of MOD police in connection with RAF Menwith Hill since 5 July; and what the preset departmental budget was for this function. [15878]
§ Dr. MoonieI am withholding the cost of the Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) deployed at RAF Menwith Hill in accordance with Exemption 1 (Defence Security) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. The financial arrangements governing the MDP presence at bases made available to the United States visiting forces in the UK, including RAF Menwith Hill, are covered by a Memorandum of Understanding between the UK and US Governments. The costs incurred by Her Majesty's Government for the MDP presence at RAF Menwith Hill are reimbursed by the US Government, except where overtime is occasioned by the activities of protesters, which is a direct cost to the UK.