§ 5. Mr. Galbraithasked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in view of the outbreak of violence in Glasgow over Easter weekend, what action he intends taking to strengthen the forces of law and order.
§ 51. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a further statement on the proposals he has framed to meet the crime wave in Glasgow in view of its continuing increase.
§ Mr. BuchanThis is a problem which is under continuous review. My right hon. Friend and I have already described on various occasions the steps the Government have been taking to encourage and support those dealing with it. Furthermore the subject was debated in the Scottish Grand Committee on 9th May.
§ Mr. GalbraithDoes the hon. Gentleman think that it is good enough to keep on saying that this matter is under continual review when everyone, the Church, the magistrates and ordinary people are 506 asking for stronger measures? It cannot be right to refuse the police greater powers of search. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that it is not the Tiber but the Clyde in Glasgow which is foaming with blood? Will he do something about it?
§ Mr. BuchanThere are two Questions on the Order Paper about this. As to taking action, one of the means open to me is to encourage the police in every possible way by putting the right kind of facilities at their disposal—by spending money. If one looks at 1962–63, under the previous Administration we were spending only £2 5s. 6d. per head of the population. This year we are spending £4 6s. l0d. per head of the population —nearly double that spent by the previous Administration.
§ Mr. RankinWhile we are debating this problem in the House and in its Committee Rooms, is my hon. Friend aware that every weekend in Glasgow and district there are fights between gangs with hatchets, razors, hammers and other lethal weapons? If he is in favour of disarmament among nations, why does he not start by disarming these gangs?
§ Mr. BuchanAs I thought I had made clear, responsibility for law and order in Glasgow rests with the police and the magistrates—
§ Mr. RankinAnd this House surely?
§ Mr. BuchanThis House can advise and bring forward ideas and help in that way. This kind of sensationalised picture detracts from the real task, which is to make clear to every thug in Glasgow that very real and effective powers of immediate arrest exist. It is only aiding and abetting the thug to suggest that they do not.
§ Mr. NobleWhy, if the hon. Gentleman's aim is to encourage the police, does he continue to prevaricate on the one thing that the police and magistrates have all asked for?
§ Mr. BuchanThis will be dealt with in a later Question, as the right hon. Gentleman should know.
§ Mr. Emrys HughesHas the Minister given any thought to my proposal that the 500 policemen needed in Glasgow could be recruited from B.A.O.R.? Is it not better for them to be fighting the 507 real enemy here than some mythical enemy in Germany?
§ Mr. BuchanWe are interested in all sources of recruitment.
§ Mr. GalbraithIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of that answer, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.