§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date in 1973 his Department first had complaints made to it by the hon. Member for Newham, North-West of alleged brutality against dockers in the May Day march; and on what date in 1974 a substantive reply to these approaches was sent to the hon. Member for Newham, North-West; whether he will cause an investigation to be made into this delay in dealing with the matter; and whether he will give an assurance that such delays will not occur in the case of the Red Lion Square complaints.
§ Dr. SummerskillThe hon. Member's letter was received on 21st May 1973. The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis arranged for complaints about police action to be investigated under Section 49 of the Police Act 1964. The investigation could not proceed until criminal charges arising out of the demonstration had been disposed of by the courts, and the investigation then proved a protracted one. I regret the delay, but we have now received a report from the Commissioner and a reply will be sent to my hon. Friend as soon as we have considered this report.