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Police security role at Parliament to be reduced Police security role at Parliament could be reduced
(about 9 hours later)
Police officers are to be replaced by private guards to cover some aspects of security at the Houses of Parliament. Police officers could be replaced by private guards to cover some aspects of security at the Houses of Parliament.
The Metropolitan Police force currently provides all security services for the Commons and the Lords.The Metropolitan Police force currently provides all security services for the Commons and the Lords.
From next April, security screening at public entrances will be run by a private contractor - although the Met will continue to provide armed police. The airport-style security checks at the entrances to the parliamentary estate will be put up for tender - although the Met will continue to provide armed officers.
The move has been made in a bid to make substantial savings to the £24m parliamentary security budget. It is an attempt to find savings in the £24m parliamentary security budget.
Imitation weaponsImitation weapons
The decision to split the contract was made by a joint committee of MPs, peers and security experts.The decision to split the contract was made by a joint committee of MPs, peers and security experts.
A private contractor has not yet been chosen. The Met will be free to bid for the scanning and checking service alongside rival operators when the tendering process starts next year, so there could be no change to the current arrangements.
Parliamentary officials said there would be no downgrading of security as a result of any changes.
Earlier this week Labour MP Barry Sheerman sought assurances that security would not be outsourced.Earlier this week Labour MP Barry Sheerman sought assurances that security would not be outsourced.
He feared the contract would be awarded to a company such as G4S, which failed to provide enough security guards for the London Olympics.He feared the contract would be awarded to a company such as G4S, which failed to provide enough security guards for the London Olympics.
Commons Speaker John Bercow replied he was "very comfortable" with security arrangements of the House - but they would not be discussed on the floor of the chamber.Commons Speaker John Bercow replied he was "very comfortable" with security arrangements of the House - but they would not be discussed on the floor of the chamber.
Imitation weapons, swords and knuckle dusters are just some of the items confiscated by police at public entrances to Parliament in the past few years.Imitation weapons, swords and knuckle dusters are just some of the items confiscated by police at public entrances to Parliament in the past few years.