§ Mr. ChaytorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with the Greater Manchester Police in respect of the policing costs of the 2002 Commonwealth Games; what estimate he has made of the costs of(a) policing and (b) other security measures related to the Commonwealth 1059W Games; and what proposals he has made to ensure that the policing and other security costs are appropriately funded. [27126]
§ Mr. DenhamI have had discussions with the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police (David Wilmot) about the policing costs of the games. On 30 January 2002, I announced that my right hon. Friend, the Home Secretary (Mr. Blunkett) had approved a special grant of £3 million. We have asked officials with Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary to look closely at the total additional costs estimated by the Chief Constable. On the basis of their further assessment we will consider whether any further grant would be justified.
Other security costs fall to the organisers of the Commonwealth Games, who are confident that they can be met from existing budgets.