HC Deb 08 June 1978 vol 951 cc356-7
10. Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with the representatives of the National Front about violence at public meetings.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

None, Sir.

Mr. Brotherton

Bearing in mind that the National Front is an extreme Left-wing party, sharing many of the aspirations of right hon. and hon. Members below the Gangway on the Labour side, and bearing in mind that the vast majority of political violence in this country is perpetrated by the National Front and other Left-wing organisations such as the Socialist Workers' Party, does not the Home Secretary now believe that the time has come to tell the National Front, the Socialist Workers' Party and the rest of that ragbag of the Left that if they cause political violence they will have to pay for it and pay for the time of the police forces involved in controlling their meetings?

Mr. Rees

I think that the hon. Gentleman is under a misconception. It would be just as well for me to say that the Socialist Workers' Party is an extreme party of the Right. They are both parties with which I disagree. They are both parties which cause trouble in their different ways. The Question asked whether I had met them. No, I am very careful about whom I meet.

Mr. John Evans

Does my right hon. Friend accept that the creed of the National Front is a violent one? Will he, therefore, give consideration to amending electoral law to ensure that at the next General Election, the National Front is not allowed radio or television time to air its poisonous views to the British people?

Mr. Rees

I am glad to say that that is not a matter for me. But I say to my hon. Friend that already what has been shown is that the best way to beat organisations of this kind is by argument. They are being beaten by argument. The more they are seen to be what they are, the more they will lose votes.