§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what the first date since 1 January was on which he received a section 44 authorisation from Gloucestershire Constabulary in relation to RAF Fairford; [119937]
(2) when since 1 January he has confirmed section 44 authorisations submitted by Gloucestershire Constabulary; [119938]
(3) what reasons were given by Gloucestershire Constabulary for each section 44 authorisation. [119939]
§ Mr. BlunkettI can confirm that authorisations under section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 have been made by Gloucestershire Constabulary and confirmed by Ministers. An authorisation may be given only for the purpose of preventing acts of terrorism. It is a longstanding policy of this and previous administrations not to comment on operational counter-terrorist measures and it would be inappropriate for me to elaborate further.