HC Deb 24 June 1982 vol 26 cc421-3
9. Mr. Pitt

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has so far been made in setting up community liaison groups as recommended in the Scarman report.

Mr. Raison

My right hon. Friend has issued guidance on procedure and best practice for local consultation arrangements between the community and the police. We have been encouraged by the good work already being done in many places. We are sure that chief officers and police authorities and the Commissioner and boroughs and districts in London will build on this in the light of the guidance. It will be important to develop arrangements suited to each area.

Mr. Pitt

I am grateful for and somewhat encouraged by the Minister's reply. How many liaison groups have been set up as a result of the anxiety of minority communities that they should have proper and good relationships with the police?

Mr. Raison

I am glad that the hon. Gentleman derives some encouragement from the way in which matters are developing. He is right to do so, although some problems lie ahead. I cannot give an exact figure, but we are witnessing something important taking place. It will develop.

Mr. Tilley

Does the Minister accept that guidelines and good will are not sufficient to ensure that liaison committees are successful? I remind him of the experience of Lambeth, where a consultative group was set up as a result of his and the Secretary of State's initiative. The problem there is now one of funds. Is he aware that the amount that the Home Office is willing to allow for the minimal running costs of that liaison committee is less than what the group now believes is necessary? Will he be sympathetic towards the request for more money—that request may have arrived already—to ensure that the community liaison group in the key area of Brixton works?

Mr. Raison

I accept that guidance and good will are not everything. Nevertheless, they are an important start. Funding for the Lambeth group is now being carefully discussed. I am sure that it will be resolved correctly.

Mr. Stokes

In ancient, civilised, tolerant and law-abiding England, are the special new types of groups strictly necessary? May there not be a danger of their becoming hotbeds for malcontents? Does not everybody want to be treated the same and to have the law applied equally?

Mr. Raison

Ancient, tolerant and civilised England has a long tradition of policing by consent. It is one of the marks of our society. If we must think about developing new ways of implementing that policy, it is right to do so. What is happening now will not in any way undermine our tradition.

Mr. George Cunningham

Will the Minister confirm that the Secretary of State would not regard it as in keeping with the guidance that he has issued on the subject if any local authority in the London area endeavoured to exclude Members of Parliament from the groups, because of the constitutional position in London, or to exercise a political veto over elected representatives of a party to which the council did not adhere?

Mr. Raison

We do not envisage local authorities exercising political vetoes to shape adversely the pattern of consultation groups.

With regard to London, my right hon. Friend, who is the police authority for London, has made it quite clear that it is desirable for London Members of Parliament to be included in the groups.

Mr. Wheeler

Is there already a liaison arrangement between the 32 London boroughs and their local police stations? If so, is that a satisfactory basis upon which to build the liaison arrangements?

Mr. Raison

I think that there is already such a liaison arrangement. We believe that the London boroughs, working together, can help us to get consultation right in London.