§ 5. Mr. Winnickasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied with the operations of the special branches of the police forces in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HurdI am satisfied that the chief officers of forces in England and Wales take sensible measures to ensure that the operations of their special branches are carried out properly and effectively, having regard to the provisions of the Home Office guidelines on the work of a special branch issued on 19 December 1984. I pay tribute to the dedication and resourcefulness of our special branch officers.
§ Mr. WinnickIt comes as no surprise that the right hon. Gentleman is satisfied. Is it not interesting that while the Home Secretary and the Conservative majority on the Select Committee were satisfied that all was well with the special branch, abuses occur which come to light, such as the vetting of the BBC? Does that not demonstrate that on matters of civil liberties — I am not discussing the excellent work undertaken by the special branch against terrorism—there are abuses that should be put right?
§ Mr. HurdThe hon. Gentleman had his go at the Select Committee, but he did not persuade its members that his analysis was right. I have no objection to the hon. Gentleman keeping an eye out for possible abuses and drawing them to the attention of the House, but he has not proved his point today.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerWill my right hon. Friend give an undertaking that he will pay personal attention to all the reports and statements that have been forthcoming, which state that the rank and file in the Tottenham area are disturbed by the events leading up to the riot and by what happened at the riot?
§ Mr. HurdYes. Partly with that in mind, this week I invited the London executive committee of the Police Federation to come and see me, as the police authority concerned, not specifically to deal with Tottenham, but to discuss its point of view about the policing of London.
§ Mr. RymanIs the Home Secretary aware of the great resentment of police officers at special branch officers going to other police divisions without informing the head of the police division that they are visiting the area? That causes much resentment in the police divisions. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, like the flying squad officers, special branch officers wander round the country without prior notice, thus offending many local police officers? They can easily be identified, because most special branch officers have large moustaches and wear carnations.
§ Mr. HurdI do not believe that moustaches on officers are a widespread complaint. However, if the hon. Member has a specific example that he would like to put to me, let him do so.