HC Deb 18 March 1996 vol 274 c16
27. Mr. John Marshall

To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement about the number of prosecutions for incitement to racial hatred. [19403]

The Solicitor-General (Sir Derek Spencer)

There have been 27 applications for consent to prosecute under part III of the Public Order Act 1986; 22 have been granted, four have been declined and one has been withdrawn.

Mr. Marshall

Does my right hon. and learned Friend accept that there is widespread concern at the hateful racist activities of Hizb Ut Tahrir on university campuses? When will the proposed meeting take place between him, my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, the hon. Member for Leeds, North-East (Mr. Kirkhope) and the President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews to discuss the issue?

The Solicitor-General

My hon. Friend is quite right. We take the activities of Hizb Ut Tahrir very seriously. The meeting of which he spoke will occur in the near future, as soon as everybody can be conveniently got together. The date is likely to be shortly after Easter.