To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the cost of security arrangements in relation to the Scottish (a) Conservative and (b) Labour party conferences in 1993; what proportion in each case was charged to the operational budgets of the respective police forces; what is the expected individual per capita cost to council tax payers in each case; and if he will make a statement.

I understand from the chief constables of Lothian and Borders police and Northern constabulary that the costs involved were £56,700 and £700, respectively. The level of resources provided for the policing of party conferences is an operational matter for the chief constable concerned to determine in the light of all the circumstances, including the threat assessment. Fifty-one per cent. of police costs are reimbursed by the Government in specific grant. The remaining 49 per cent. is funded by police authorities from the different sources of finance available to them; the authorities determine which sources of finance meet the cost of particular services.