§ 11. Mr. Stokesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Halesowen and Stourbridge on 24th June, he will collect statistics on a basis which distinguishes the nationality of those convicted under Section 6 of the Race Relations Act 1965.
§ Mr. JohnCriminal statistics are not normally collected on this basis, and we doubt if the usefulness of information about nationality would justify making special arrangements.
§ Mr. StokesIs not that answer ridiculous humbug? Does it not smack of the secrecy of the Star Chamber? Why does not the Minister say outright what the nationality is? Is this a cover-up for persecuting the English nation?
§ Mr. JohnThe hon. Gentleman has a somewhat affectionate place as a licensed buffoon in this Chamber—
§ Mr. WigginWithdraw.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The term "buffoon" should not be applied to anyone in the Chamber.
§ Mr. JohnThen I withdraw that, Mr. Speaker. But the facts that the hon. Gentleman rambles about here are not germane to Section 6 of the Act. That section deals with incitement to racial hatred, and the Act states that people who incite to racial hatred shall be dealt with whatever their nationality. There is, therefore, no question of the conspiracy which the hon. Gentleman seems to see in everything.
§ Mr. HefferOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker—
§ Mr. SpeakerI shall take it immediately after Questions.
§ Mr. HefferIt relates to your ruling a moment ago, Mr. Speaker. However, I shall raise it at the end of Questions.
§ Mr. SpeakerI shall be obliged to the hon. Gentleman if he will do that.
§ Mr. WhitelawI might not agree with everything that is said by my hon. Friend the Member for Halesowen and Stourbridge (Mr. Stokes), but the Minister should understand that my hon. Friend holds views very strongly and he puts them forward most sincerely in the House.
§ Mr. JohnThe depth of conviction is not of itself justification for the views that are put forward.