HC Deb 20 February 1968 vol 759 cc238-42
Mr. Mendelson (by Private Notice)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Chief Constable on the recent physical attack upon a coloured bus inspector at Oxford, and whether he will make a statement.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. James Callaghan)

Sir, I have made inquiries of the Chief Constable of Oxford this morning and he will send me a full report in due course. I am told that Mr. Gupta was attacked outside his house on 16th January, but I am glad to say that he was not seriously injured. Mr. Gupta has also received threats over the telephone. Inquiries have not so far led to the persons responsible for the attack or threats being identified. The police have given protection to Mr. Gupta and his family, and I understand that the bus company which employs Mr. Gupta is giving all possible assistance to him and to the police.

I greatly regret these happenings, and I am sure the whole House will do likewise. I wish to emphasise that intimidation of this kind is a criminal matter and will be treated as such by the police.

Mr. Mendelson

May I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply? There is no need to labour the general universal importance of this case. Would it be possible, in addition to what the police have done so far, to provide, if Mr. Gupta so desires, 24-hour protection for him by the police so that there should be no need for any voluntary organisation to try to protect him, because that might have undesirable consequences? Secondly, if Mr. Gupta should reapply for the job, which the bus company has very fairly offered to him, he should be encouraged, and will speedy efforts be made to bring the criminals to book, including those who aided them in one way or another?

Mr. Callaghan

Protection has been given to Mr. Gupta since 10th January at various levels of intensification, including a 24-hour protection for him and his family if it seemed necessary, although this has now been discontinued, but this is a matter for Mr. Gupta.

As regards the question of Mr. Gupta's future, I would hope for two things—first, that he will reapply and, if he is considered fit, that the bus company will reappoint him as an inspector: and, secondly, that those responsible are brought to book.

Mr. Hogg

Whilst in a sense it is a work of supererogation, will the right hon. Gentleman accept that we on this side of the House would also wish to be associated with his condemnation of this kind of thing?

Mr. Callaghan

I took the liberty of including the whole House in my condemnation of the matter because I believed that I could speak with confidence for everybody, not only in the House but in the country, who wants to see race relations on a proper basis here.

Mr. Luard

Does my right hon. Friend agree that one slightly redeeming feature of this deplorable affair is that the gentleman concerned has had the fullest possible support from the local union concerned in Oxford and that the bus company itself has given an assurance that it will be prepared to keep this post open for Mr. Gupta? Will my right hon. Friend, through the liaison officer whom his Department has appointed in Oxford, do everything possible to encourage Mr. Gupta to apply again, and, if not, will he encourage other representatives of immigrant communities, many of whom are employed by this bus company, to apply for similar positions in Oxford?

Mr. Callaghan

I know that my hon. Friend, in whose constituency this incident occurred, has taken a considerable interest in this matter. I gladly respond to his question. I was very glad indeed to read that the chairman of the Oxford branch of the Transport and General Workers' Union had condemned this attack so unreservedly and had set an example to many more prejudiced people in the way in which relations between races should be conducted.

Mr. Hooson

Will the right hon. Gentleman satisfy himself that there will be the most thorough investigation of the crime so as to bring the criminals who perpetrated this terrorism to justice and, if necessary, ensure that the Oxford police have the support of New Scotland Yard in this matter, because nothing would so satisfy the country as to see acts of terrorism of this kind, on whomsoever they are perpetrated, adequately punished?

Mr. Callaghan

I accept that. I am sure that the Oxford police will call in any assistance it wants. If I may become slightly out of order, the police are having considerable success in other matters at the moment, and I am glad to say that less than three hours ago one of those responsible for the murder at Fulham was arrested at Bolton in Lancashire and that the man who committed the murder this morning in Acton has also been arrested.

Hon. Members

Oh.

Mr. Hogg

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker—[Interruption.]

Mr. Speaker

Order. I suspect that many right hon. and hon. Members are trying to address me on a point of order.

Mr. Callaghan

Mr. Speaker, it has been pointed out to me that I should have said "the alleged murder".

Mr. Ronald Bell

Should not the Home Secretary have said also, as I am sure that he would have wished to say, "one of those alleged to be responsible"?

Mr. Thorpe

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. Although the Home Secretary has withdrawn his remark, in which he sought to suggest that certain persons, who may be suspected, have already been convicted of a capital offence—[HON. MEMBERS:"No."] Further to that point of order—[Interruption.]

Mr. Speaker

Order. This is a very grave matter. Mr. Thorpe.

Mr. Thorpe

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. I quite clearly heard both what the Home Secretary said initially and what he sought subsequently to say by way of amendment. Would it not be in order, as capital charges are involved—

Hon. Members

Not capital.

Mr. Thorpe

At any rate, a charge of homicide may well be brought. Ought not the right hon Gentleman to make it clear that, notwithstanding his remark, he would wish to pass no comment upon the culpability or otherwise of those whom it is the task of the courts and not the Home Secretary to try?

Mr. Callaghan

I will gladly give that assurance. I have no desire to quarrel with the judiciary on this matter. Crimes of violence are a very serious matter indeed. I bring to the attention of the House one thing, and one thing only, namely, that the police, in so far as they are responsible, are acting in as good a way as they can to ensure that the courts try those against whom offences are alleged. I hope that they will continue to do so.

Mr. Hogg

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Hogg.

Mr. Shinwell

On a point of order.

Mr. Speaker

Order. I have called the right hon. and learned Member for St. Marylebone (Mr. Hogg) on a point of order.

Mr. Hogg

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. Will it not be accepted that the Home Secretary simply made a slip of the tongue—[HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."]—and did not intend to prejudice the matter in any way?

Mr. Shinwell

Sir, I was about to remark that when a right hon. Gentleman admits that a mistake has been made it is not debatable and we ought to accept it.

Mr. Speaker

I think that we can now move on. Mr. Marten.

Mr. Marten

My supplementary question goes back to the original Question. I want to assure the Home Secretary, as a Member for Oxfordshire, that the acts which are alleged to have taken place, with their disgusting overtones of racialism, will not have the support of the people of Oxfordshire.

Mr. Callaghan

I am very much obliged to the hon. Gentleman.