§ Mr. Eldon Griffithsasked the Prime Minister why he refused to see leaders of the Police Federation when they asked him to receive in person their views on violence in the course of industrial dispute, injuries to police officers and their welfare while on duty at demonstrations, police responsibilities in respect of the law on picketing and the effects on police morale of any failure by Ministers to show their support for the rule of law.
§ The Prime MinisterThis request was directly related to the current industrial dispute at Grunwick's, not to the broad issues which the hon. Member mentions. As the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis has operational responsibility for policing matters arising from this dispute the Federation should, certainly in the first instance, put its views to him, or to my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, who is the responsible Minister.