§ Q1. Mr. Greville Jannerasked the Prime Minister whether he will pay an official visit to Leicestershire.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. James Callaghan)I have at present no plans to do so.
§ Mr. JannerWhen my right hon. Friend visits Leicestershire, will he take the opportunity to denounce all those irresponsible fringe groups and individuals who seek to make political capital out of racial disharmony? Will he pay special attention to the Fascist National Front, so many of whose top national leaders are not only former members of the Nazi and Fascist Parties but have criminal records of violence, as well as to all other extremists who seek to interfere with the peace and basic prosperity of Leicester and other cities like it?
§ The Prime MinisterI know that my hon. and learned Friend, among others, is leading a campaign in Leicester to ensure that racial harmony shall prevail. I 2117 am glad to learn that there has been little disturbance there. The Government —and I hope that this is the case on a much wider basis—are totally opposed to the National Front, which seeks to stimulate and inflame intolerance between the races and basks in the publicity which arises from a general state of disorder. I assure my hon. and learned Friend that on all occasions we shall seek to warn the public and to lead them as far away as we can from the direction in which the National Front would take them.
§ Mr. AitkenIs the Prime Minister disturbed by today's news that the former Chief Constable of Leicestershire, Sir Robert Mark, has announced his impending resignation as Metropolitan Police Commissioner because of his strong feelings about the Police Bill? Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that it is something of a national tragedy that arguably the greatest police chief since Peel should feel obliged to resign because the Government are determined to spend £1 million of taxpayers' money on making it easier to complain against the police?
§ The Prime MinisterI have a very high admiration for Sir Robert Mark. In my earlier manifestation as Home Secretary I had some responsibility for his advancement. I have always valued his opinions on many matters. But the Police Bill has been discussed and decided by the House and, however eminent may be Sir Robert Mark, whose advance retirement by three months or whatever it is will be a matter of regret, the House decides these matters. I have always taken the view that the police have a right to special protection because of the ease with which complaints can be made against them, but I do not believe that when the legislation is in operation they will find that their position has been weakened.
§ Mr. WatkinsonDoes my right hon. Friend agree that it is incumbent on all parliamentarians to give the strongest possible lead in improving race relations in this country? Would it not be of the greatest assistance if the Leader of the Opposition were to make such a statement?
§ The Prime MinisterNaturally, I leave that to the Leader of the Opposition, but I have no reason to believe that she would disagree with what I have said this afternoon.
§ Mr. CormackIf the Prime Minister will not go to Leicestershire, will he consider going to Staffordshire and telling parents there how much he believes in their right to choose their children's education? Will he also tell them that the independent schools are in no danger as long as he holds high office?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think that I shall be discussing Staffordshire when I visit Leicestershire.