HC Deb 02 February 1989 vol 146 cc419-20
9. Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received concerning allegations of racism in the Metropolitan police; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

No record of the number of such representations is kept. The Government fully support the many initiatives taken by the Metropolitan police to tackle racism. There is no place for racial prejudice in the police service.

Mr. Hughes

Is the Minister aware that despite his bland assurance and the efforts of the Metropolitan police, allegations of racism in the Metropolitan police reach as far afield as Orkney and Shetland where my hon. Friend the Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Wallace) had a complaint from a constituent whose daughter was working in London? Can the Minister tell us when we can go out about the capital without seeing non-white members of the community being picked on by the police? At present, black people are stopped far more often than white people, particularly for suspected motoring offences.

Mr. Hogg

The hon. Gentleman's comments will be deeply resented by ordinary Metropolitan police officers who are working extremely hard to improve community relations.

Sir George Young

Can my hon. Friend tell the House what increase there has been in the number of London police from the ethnic minorities since 1979?

Mr. Hogg

Without notice, I cannot tell my hon. Friend the increase, but at present there are 421 officers from the ethnic minorities, including a number of or above the rank of inspector. It is extremely important that we increase the number of recruits from the ethnic minorities, and the Metropolitan police is doing its best to achieve that.

Mr. Flannery

Does the Minister realise that to treat the question put by the hon. Member for Southwark and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) so casually will help none of us? Has he forgotten that when an essay was set by one of the lecturers at the Hendon police college a few years ago literally every essay written contained evidence of racism? Does he not believe that there is a problem and that we must all come to grips with it?

Mr. Hogg

The question of the hon. Member for Southwark and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) was a gratuitously offensive criticism of the Metropolitan police. I treated it with the respect that it deserved.