HL Deb 28 April 1970 vol 309 cc927-8
LORD O'HAGAN

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps have been taken to reassure coloured people, particularly in East London, that they receive as much protection from unprovoked assault as any-one else.]

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, my right honourable friend the Home Secretary recently gave an assurance in another place that every citizen, no matter what his colour, is entitled to equal protection from the police in his lawful activities and that the police will fulfil that duty. Senior police officers gave a similar assurance to a recent meeting of Pakistanis in East London.

LORD O'HAGAN

My Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether he is aware of the reports in to-day's newspapers that some Pakistanis, from East London I understand, particularly because of Sun-day's events, are planning a protest meeting at Downing Street? Is the noble Lord sure that the message has got through?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, one can-not be absolutely sure. Communication with these people is one of the problems; but in so far as my right honourable friend has any influence I am sure that he will "get over" to the Pakistanis concerned. The problem here is one of hooliganism and not of racialism.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, while appreciating the Answer that my noble friend has given, may I ask him whether it would not be possible to replace the Pakistani vigilantes, some of whom are apparently carrying offensive weapons, by an inter-racial special constabulary com-posed of volunteers who would have walkie-talkie sets and who would be able to get into touch with the police immediately?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, we have a chief inspector of police in that division, as in ten other divisions, whose sole duty is liaison activity. We have special police directed into the area; and there are 18 police officers in the division who have volunteered to learn the Bengali language. I think that this country has done as much as any other country to try to help those who choose to live among us.

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