§ 41. Mr. Hendersonasked the Solicitor-General for Scotland whether he has any plans to initiate a more vigorous prosecution policy in respect of abusive language 948 and threatening behaviour generally, and in particular when directed against persons in positions of responsibility, including the police; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandProcurators fiscal presently give full and proper consideration to reports of such behaviour and criminal proceedings are taken where appropriate. I am not aware of any cases where that has not been done, but if my hon. Friend will provide me with details of any case concerning him, I shall certainly investigate.
§ Mr. HendersonIs my hon. and learned Friend aware that in some sections of society there seems to be an idea that people in positions of responsibility, such as teachers and policemen, are fair game for the abuse referred to in my question? Does my hon. and learned Friend agree that the opposite is the case? We, as a society, put those people in a particular position of responsibility, and abuse of them is an abuse of society, and should be treated much more seriously than it sometimes is.
§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandAs I have said, the policy that we try to follow in prosecution is to make no special distinction between ordinary members of society and those who hold other positions. I accept that sometimes it seems to be the view that police officers, in particular, are fair game for assault and violence, whereas they are entitled to the protection of the law as much as are ordinary citizens.
§ Mr. EwingIs the Solicitor-General for Scotland aware that the only two recent incidents of abuse and such offences against people of public standing were in the Tory-held constituencies of Tayside, North, against the hon. Member for Tayside, North (Mr. Walker), and in Perth and Kinross, against the hon. and learned Member for Perth and Kinross (Mr. Fairbairn)? Is there not a lesson to be learnt when there is all that violence in Tory heartland? Nothing like that ever happens in any of the 41 Labour-held constituencies.
§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandI am certainly aware of the two incidents to which the hon. Gentleman refers. He talked about the incident at Tayside. I am pleased to say that no such incident has happened on the eastern seaboard, in Angus.
Later—
§ Mr. Bill WalkerOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. You will recollect that the last question to my hon. and learned Friend the Solicitor-General for Scotland drew attention to an assault on me. The individual who was charged and convicted of that assault was judged to be in need of medical attention. I suggest that the question was unworthy of the House, and did nothing for the standard, conduct or reputation of the House.
§ Mr. SpeakerI am not responsible for the way in which questions are presented.