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Questions
Asked by
Lord
Laird
To ask Her Majesty's
Government what is the estimated cost of the police review of the
Madeleine McCann case; where its funding will come from; whether
arrangements for the review were discussed with the government of
Portugal; and what assessment they have made of the possibility of the
discovery of valuable new leads in relation to the disappearance.[HL9314]
The Minister of
State, Home Office (Baroness Browning): Since Madeleine McCann's
disappearance, the Government have continued to liaise with the
Portuguese authorities, and the police here have followed up any leads
and passed information to the Portuguese as appropriate. The involvement
of the Metropolitan Police Service is part of that continuing UK
contribution to the search for Madeleine.
The nature and scope
of the work that the Metropolitan Police Service is undertaking will
depend on its officers' operational assessment of how best their
expertise might be used in progressing the investigation into
Madeleine's disappearance. That assessment is at an early stage and it
is therefore not possible to estimate the likely costs, but the Home
Office will provide necessary funding, which will be subject to regular
review.
Asked by
Lord
Stoddart of Swindon
To ask Her Majesty's
Government, in the light of the Prime Minister's intervention in the
Madeleine McCann case, whether they will make periodic reports to
Parliament on the level of resources and costs to United Kingdom police
forces of their investigation of the case.[HL9452]
Baroness Browning:
The Home Secretary's request to the Metropolitan Police Commissioner,
supported by the Prime Minister, asking that the Metropolitan Police
bring its expertise to the investigation into the disappearance of
Madeleine McCann is based on the sincere hope that Madeleine is still
alive. While that operational work continues it would be inappropriate
to give what, in effect, would be a partial running commentary on its
progress. The Home Secretary will, however, make available the total
central funding provided to the Metropolitan Police to cover the costs
of the operation when the work is completed. |
