§ 42. Mr. Adleyasked the Attorney-General if he will update the statistics on cases outstanding in the courts in relation to offences alleged to have been committed in relation to the miners' strike, which he gave to the hon. Member for Christchurch on 4 February, Official Report, column 606.
§ The Attorney-General (Sir Michael Havers)During the period from 13 March 1984 to 19 February 1985, 7,785 persons were charged with a total of 10,153 offences alleged to have been committed during the course of the current miners' dispute. Of these, 5,329 defendants have been dealt with and the cases of 2,456 remain to be heard.
§ Mr. AdleyI thank my right hon. and learned Friend for that answer. Now that the strike looks as though it is crumbling—or, indeed, has crumbled—and in so far as it is within his power, will he do all that he can to see that a differentiation is made between the tiny minority of miners and their politically motivated leaders who have been involved in much of this violence, and the overwhelming majority of miners who, I am sure, have found it as distasteful as the rest of us? On that point, has he anything to say to the right hon. Member for Barnsley, Central (Mr. Mason) in reply to the point that the right hon. Gentleman has made in the last few weeks?
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe figures speak for themselves. A total of 7,500 over nearly 12 months indicates a great deal of restraint from the police.
§ Mr. MasonWill the Attorney-General now update the figures relating to all those miners who have been charged and since been acquitted? Will he, in league with the Home Secretary, now publicly advise the chief constables to call in those miners so that they see their fingerprints and photographic records destroyed, thereby giving them a chance of continuing work with the NCB without embarrassment or difficulty?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI have absolutely no control in any way over chief constables. This is a matter for the Home Secretary, and I shall ensure that the right hon. Gentleman's remarks are drawn to his attention.
§ Mr. HardyThe Attorney-General did not give the figure for the number of cases dismissed. Given that a large percentage of the charges have been dismissed, will he request that a review of outstanding charges be conducted so that the time of the courts is not wasted?
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe number acquitted is 1,306 up to the end of last week—much less than 75 per cent.—but I shall bear in mind what has been said.
§ Mr. MeadowcroftHas not the number of charges withdrawn been increasing in recent months, and does not a problem therefore arise in as much as the NCB has been dismissing people in that category? What consultations has the right hon. and learned Gentleman had on that aspect of his figures?
§ The Attorney-GeneralIt would not be for me to consult. Practically all those cases would be cases that were not drawn to the attention of the DPP at all.
§ Mr. Peter BruinvelsI welcome the fact that so many miners have been dealt with successfully, and the speed with which this has been done. Will my right hon. and learned Friend in some way arrange for publicity to be given to the large number of offences that have been committed so that it will act as a deterrent to other miners intent on following the same course?
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe variety of charges is enormous, as is the variety of those who have been charged. The bulk are miners, but also included are students, lecturers, manual workers and the unemployed.
§ Mr. Nicholas BrownFollowing—
§ Mr. MasonOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Attorney-General's reply, I give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.
§ Mr. BrownFollowing the answer that the Attorney-General gave my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Aberavon (Mr. Morris), when this matter was raised on 4 February—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I am afraid that the right hon. Member for Barnsley, Central (Mr. Mason) has, by his action, prevented any further questions arising on this matter and, therefore, I cannot allow the hon. Gentleman to continue his question.
§ Mr. John MorrisOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. Unfortunately, the right hon. Member for Barnsley, Central has gazumped the Opposition Front Bench.