HC Deb 11 June 1981 vol 6 c539
11. Mr. Marlow

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in considering legislation to replace the Riot Act.

Mr. Whitelaw

This is among the matters I am considering in my review of the Public Order Act 1936 and related legislation, on which I shall make a statement in due course.

Mr. Marlow

In the meantime, does my right hon. Friend agree that there would be the likelihood of fewer riots in London, Northern Ireland, at the seaside and at football matches if the risk to rioters were rather greater that they would be apprehended; if apprehended, charged with a fairly simple charge; if charged, found guilty or innocent rapidly, and without a great deal of controversy; and, if found guilty, sentenced to perhaps a short sharp shock? In that way we could discourage rioting.

Mr. Whitelaw

I am not sure that many of the consequences that my hon. Friend and I want would necessarily follow from a change in the Riot Act. It is important to stress that the police have extensive powers at common law to deal with unlawful assemblies. Those powers include a power to disperse an assembly when an obstruction is being caused, when the police reasonably apprehend a breach of the peace, or when there is a breach of the peace. The police already have considerable powers. Under the present arrangements they are used and people can be taken to the courts and sentenced firmly.