§ Mr. FlightTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much the Department spent on(a) maintenance, (b) renovation, (c) council tax and (d) running costs of residential properties used by Ministers and officials in each year since 1997. [134693]
§ Fiona MactaggartThe Home Office leases one property, acquired for security reasons, as the London residence of the Home Secretary of the day. A major programme of cyclical refurbishment—the first for some years—was completed in late spring 2002. This was needed to maintain the repair and value of the property and to deal with the impact of substantial flood and storm damage.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Ribble Valley (Mr. Evans) on 1 July 2002, Official Report, column 176W.
1. Home Secretary's residence The figures are as follows:
16 September 2003, Official Report, column 662W, whether he has received the Metropolitan Police report; whether he intends to publish it; and if he will make a statement on the use of anti-terrorism legislation against the protesters at the Excel Exhibition Centre in London on 9 September. [139254]
§ Fiona MactaggartI received an interim report from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) on 18 September and a final report on 15 October. The report shows that what happened during the policing of the Defence Systems and Equipment International (DSEi) arms fair has not been routinely replicated across the force area from the time that the Terrorism Act 2000 came into force.
I welcome the steps that have been already been taken to deal with concerns at force level about the use of this power and the enhanced guidance and training that will 829W be given to officers from this point on. I have also agreed with the MPS that we continue to be vigilant and ensure that these powers are deployed correctly.