HC Deb 28 June 1979 vol 969 cc638-41
13. Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis on the activities of the special patrol group; and if he will make a statement.

20. Mr. Winnick

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police over the role of the special patrol group.

22. Mr. Snape

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will discuss with the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police the abolition of the special patrol group.

Mr. Whitelaw

I refer the hon. Members to the statement that I made yesterday on the Southall disturbances.

Mr. Skinner

Is the Home Secretary aware that a private investigation into the activities of the special patrol group is totally unsatisfactory? Does he realise that we need a full, public and open inquiry into this matter to establish the truth about, say, the Daily Mirror story which suggested that a lead-filled cosh was found in the locker of an officer of the special patrol group, a cosh which was not dissimilar to the kinds of instruments described in the leading pathologist's report on the death of Blair Peach? Why does not the Minister deliver a short, sharp sentence to the special patrol group and disband it?

Mr. Whitelaw

First, some of the matters which the hon. Gentleman raised clearly come into the investigation by Commander Cass, which will go to the Director of Public Prosecutions and the coroner. Therefore, it would be quite improper for me to comment any further on those. In general, over a period of time, the special patrol group has made an important contribution to the fight against crime. I believe that that will certainly continue. It was right that the Commissioner decided to examine its work. He will do that. I believe he will find that the group will continue to have an important contribution to make in the future.

Mr. Winnick

Is not it important for the public to have confidence in all sections of the police force? Is it not a serious matter when the special patrol group clearly does not enjoy that degree of confidence? Is the Home Secretary aware that there is a strongly-held view that members of the special patrol group have a hostile attitude towards the trade union and labour movement?

Mr. Whitelaw

That is an unreasonable statement which the hon. Gentleman can in no way substantiate with facts. I return to the major point. The special patrol group in recent times has made a large number of arrests which were extremely important in the battle against crime. The group should be congratulated on, and supported for, its effort.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

Does not my right hon. Friend occasionally become a little sick and tired of the vendetta that is pursued by some, though not all, members of the Opposition against this group of the London police? Does not he agree that if it were not for the activities of the special patrol group in London many more elderly and weak people would be persecuted, many more immigrants would be terrorised, and many more law breakers would be able to break the law again and again?

Mr. Whitelaw

It is no part of my business to become sick and tired of criticisms of any kind over anything for which I may be responsible, provided that they are justified and wise. I agree entirely with my hon. Friend about the value of the special patrol group's work.

Mr. Flannery

Does the Minister accept that there is a tremendous gulf between the coloured community and the police generally, especially the special patrol group? Does he accept that most of us here are not paid by the police? Unlike most Members of Parliament, I personally witnessed the special patrol group constantly in action at Grunwick. I was appalled by what I saw. I abhor violence. Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that, as a result of the great gap between the group and the coloured community, any inquiry by the police into their own conduct is no longer acceptable? Therefore, why is he afraid of a public inquiry, instead of the police inquiring into their own conduct?

Mr. Whitelaw

If, as a result of his experience at any time, the hon. Gentleman has specific complaints to make against the police, it is proper that he should lodge them with the chief constable involved—

Mr. Flannery

I informed my right hon. Friend the then Home Secretary, but he did nothing.

Mr. Whitelaw

—in this case the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. The Commissioner made very clear, as I announced yesterday, that he was doing his best, and would continue to do his best, to improve relations between the police and ethnic minority groups, and would commit further resources to that.

I come back again and again to what I have said—that this House set up deliberately, by an Act of Parliament, an independent inquiry procedure under the Police Complaints Board. It should be used as this House meant it to be used. I wish that it were more widely used and accepted by some Labour Members.

Mr. Alan Clark

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that there is a widespread feeling among the general public that anyone who takes part in an affray in which 97 police officers are injured has only himself to blame for the consequences?

Mr. Whitelaw

One must obviously regret any disorders. But there is no doubt that, as the Commissioner's report said yesterday, some of the people who came into Southall from outside appeared to be bent on a confrontation with the police.