§ 54. Mr. Leslieasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is now in a position to make a statement regarding the information supplied by a Manchester detective officer concerning the activities of the National Amalgamated Union of Shop Assistants, Warehousemen and Clerks to the Lancashire and Cheshire District Committee of the Economic League; whether he is aware that the statement respecting a meeting of the Manchester branch of the union had no foundation in fact; and whether the police are now instructed to attend meetings of trade unions without invitation?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd)My right hon. Friend is informed by the chief constable of Manchester that none of his officers has supplied any information to any member of the Economic League regarding the activities of the union referred to, that none of his officers attended the meeting referred to, and that none of his officers had any knowledge of any such meeting being held. The chief constable also states that meetings of trade unions are not in fact attended by members of the Manchester police force.
§ Mr. LeslieI take it, then, that it is not within the province of the police to attend ordinary branch meetings of trade unions which are carrying on their normal and legal work?