To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on security arrangements for the London 2012 Olympics. (264328)

The Home Office is working closely with the Ministry of Defence on security planning for the London 2012 games. The 2012 Olympic and Paralympic safety and security national concept of operations includes an expectation that the armed forces will provide some specialist support to the civilian authorities and we are proceeding on this basis

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will hold discussions with her international counterparts on security arrangements for athletes and officials from their national teams at the London 2012 Olympics. (265564)

The Olympic and Paralympic Games are international events with over 200 competing nations. We are very aware of the need to brief and consult the governments and public authorities of the countries involved, to ensure that their security concerns are reflected in our planning and delivery, and that our security arrangements have their confidence and co-operation.

We plan a comprehensive programme to engage the other competing countries specifically on Games safety and security issues in the run-up to and during the 2012 Games. This will complement and build on the extensive dialogue which we already have with overseas partners on counter-terrorism, combating crime, and safety and security matters.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent estimate she has made of the number of (a) police dog and handler teams and (b) specialist explosive search dogs which will be deployed to provide security for the London 2012 Olympics. (266418)

On 25 February the Government approved a 2012 Olympic and Paralympic safety and security strategy and also endorsed an outline 2012 Olympic and Paralympic safety and security national concept of operations which describes how the strategy will be delivered. The workstreams which flow from the strategy and concept of operations have already highlighted the provision of police and search dogs and their handlers as an area in which demand will need to be managed carefully. Work to refine this requirement is ongoing.