Olympics (Security) Debate

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Department: Home Office

Olympics (Security)

Kerry McCarthy Excerpts
Thursday 12th July 2012

(12 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Baroness May of Maidenhead Portrait Mrs May
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Police forces up and down the country have been working with private sector contractors for a number of years now. For example, when I visited Maidenhead custody suite, Reliance was working alongside the police officers and others. Indeed, it was the previous Labour Government who enabled forces to bring in private sector contractors to undertake detention and escort duties, which had previously been done only by police officers.

Kerry McCarthy Portrait Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East) (Lab)
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Given that the Home Secretary has been caught out by her complacency towards this contract, has she given her personal attention to concerns raised with her by the noble Lord Prescott, among others, about the fire marshals contract that LOCOG has awarded to Close Protection UK? Does she think that company fit and proper to run those services, and does she have confidence in its ability to do so?

Baroness May of Maidenhead Portrait Mrs May
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The premise on which the hon. Lady asks her question is one I utterly reject. There is no complacency in Government. Had there been, we would not have announced the decision to bring in the contingency plan.