HC Deb 13 October 1976 vol 917 cc405-6
3. Mr. Rifkind

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next intends to pay an official visit to Edinburgh.

Mr. Millan

I am normally in Edinburgh every week on official business.

Mr. Rifkind

Has the Secretary of State considered the transcript of evidence of the recent Tartan Army trial in Edinburgh? Is he aware that, as a result of that trial, the Scottish National Party has announced an internal inquiry to determine the amount of infiltration into that party of men of violence? Will the right hon. Gentleman call upon the SNP to make its findings public? Will he also indicate the Government's view on the likelihood of further acts of political violence in Scotland?

Mr. Millan

Some of those questions are not for me. It is up to the Scottish National Party to put its own house in order.

Mr. Gordon Wilson

Does the Secretary of State accept that the SNP has always puts its house in order regarding anything of that kind, just as the other political parties in Scotland have done in relation to criminal charges which may arise in connection with any of their members? Furthermore, does he accept that the implication made by the hon. Member for Edinburgh, Pentlands (Mr. Rifkind) is the kind of thing which does not do any good to politics? Finally, is there to be any inquiry into the handling of the case by the Crown Office?

Mr. Millan

That is not a matter for me. I notice that the hon. Gentleman is sensitive to criticism when it is directed to his party but that he is free with abuse of others.

Mr. Monro

When the Secretary of State next comes to Edinburgh, will he call a meeting of those involved in maintaining discipline at football grounds? Will he tell the House why the guidelines laid down by the Government have not been fulfilled in either England or Scotland? Is he satisfied that the magistrates and district courts have sufficient powers to deal with anything which may happen at a football ground?

Mr. Millan

I do not think that this has much to do with a visit to Edinburgh. The hon. Gentleman knows that I am arranging to meet the SFA. I have also arranged a meeting with chief constables on Friday. I shall be discussing with them some of the matters that he has mentioned. I am extremely concerned about what happened last Saturday. Concerning penalties, the answer is that adequate penalties are available. It is for the courts to use these penalties, as I hope they will in suitable cases, in a very severe way.