HC Deb 19 January 1984 vol 52 cc430-1
2. Mr. Leigh

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Cheshire police into how many of those arrested outside the Stockport Messenger offices in Warrington during the recent picketing of those offices are not United Kingdom citizens.

The Minister of State, Home Office (Mr. David Waddington)

The chief constable tells me that two of those arrested were born in Dublin, and are believed to be citizens of the Republic of Ireland.

Mr. Leigh

How many of those arrested had nothing to do with Warrington or the printing industry?

Mr. Waddington

On the worst night, 86 people were arrested, and only six of them were found to have anything whatever to do with the printing industry. They came from all over the country and included students, a school teacher, a social worker and even a young girl of 16 still at school.

Mr. Bottomley

Has any information come through official trade union channels about whether the unions disapprove of the fact that more than 80 per cent. of those who were arrested came from outside that trade and business?

Mr. Waddington

I am afraid that I know of no such denunciation.

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