§ Kate HoeyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers were involved in policing the England football match at Leicester on 3 June; and what the cost was to the police authorities. [118172]
§ Mr. Bob AinsworthThe Leicestershire police operation involved the deployment of 379 officers and 27 support staff, including 50 officers, 10 police horses and special vehicles provided by neighbouring forces in accordance with mutual aid arrangements. 107 police officers were deployed inside the ground for at least part of their duties. The Police Authority has yet to calculate the full cost of the operation.
§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research his Department has commissioned on the safely of the Airwave Communications police communications system. [118348]
§ Mr. Bob Ainsworth[holding answer 10 June 2002]: Following independent expert advice on the health and safety aspects of the TETRA technology used by Airwave, the Home Office has set up an extensive research programme. We have recently announced a £5 million national health monitoring study of Airwave police users, to be carried out by Imperial College. Other key elements of the research are a study by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory on the possible biological effects of TETRA and independent checks of the emissions of Airwave radios. All the results so far confirm that Airwave equipment is safe.
Updates on our TETRA health programme are available on the Home Office web site at http:// www.homeoffice.gov.uk/docs/tetra.html.
§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funding is available for the establishment of police station shops in local shopping centre precincts; and if he will make a statement. [116017]
§ Mr. Bob AinsworthPolice authorities may use their general capital and revenue grants to provide such facilities as they consider appropriate in local circumstances.