Chief Officers of Police

HC Deb 22 February 1979 vol 963 cc614-5

19. Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends next to meet representatives of chief constables; and what he expects to discuss with them.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

I frequently meet the office bearers and other members of the Association of Chief Police Officers, individually or collectively, to discuss matters of common interest.

Mr. Adley

Has the Home Secretary discussed with members of the association the White Paper that was issued last week—namely, the concordat, if I may call it that?—and its contents on secondary picketing? If he has not done so, will he do so to ensure that the chief constables have their anxieties stilled about the present position?

Mr. Rees

The chief constables have no anxieties on that score. I brought the matter to their notice. That is one of my jobs. I had not discussed the issue with them because guidance was given by the TUC to its constituent unions. The guidance was not to chief constables.