Question

To ask the Chairman of Committees, further to the Written Answer by the Chairman of Committees on 18 June (WA 67), whether decisions to make new policing contract arrangements in 2015 arose from dissatisfaction with the manner and efficiency of the present arrangements; how many existing police officers will be removed from security duties on the Parliamentary estate after March 2015; and what financial savings are envisaged.

The arrangements for policing and security on the Parliamentary Estate needed to be renewed because the current contract with the Metropolitan Police Service expires in March 2015. In line with best practice, a number of options have been evaluated to ensure that Parliamentary security remains effective and responsive to future demands. All options assume that both armed and unarmed police officers will continue to be provided by the Metropolitan Police. It would be inappropriate to provide information on the costs of the new arrangements while negotiations are underway.

The number of police officers and security staff required under the new arrangements will be determined by Parliament's operational and security requirement and how providers, including the Metropolitan Police Service, propose to meet these requirements. It will not be possible to give final numbers for police officers and security staff until new arrangements are agreed.