HC Deb 20 March 1968 vol 761 cc416-7
51. Mr. Goodhart

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will ensure that all units stationed in this country are trained in riot control.

Mr. Healey

That is a normal part of the training of the appropriate units of all three services.

Mr. Goodhart

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware—I am sure that he must be—that if the present wave of irresponsible violence continues the police may be unable to cope without imposing an undue strain on the force? This being so, would it not be best for us now to prepare to give aid to the civil power?

Mr. Healey

Naturally the Services are always prepared to give aid to the civil power if the circumstances justify that being done, but I must remind the hon. Gentleman that both I and the right hon. Member for Wolverhampton, South-West (Mr. Powell) were recently subjected to a demonstration of flower power and that both of us survived with our faculties unimpaired, despite the fact that there was no assistance from the military.

Sir Knox Cunningham

Would it not be wise to concentrate on this sort of training in view of the extreme belligerency of peace?