§ Dr. Glynasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has completed his consideration of the report submitted to him by the Chief Constable of the Thames Valley police on the action taken by the police in relation to the Windsor Free Festival held in August this year; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsYes. I have considered all the information put before me by the chief constable and others, the views formed by the Thames Valley Police Authority following its own consideration of the matter, and representations which have been made to me for the holding of a public inquiry. I have concluded that in this instance such an inquiry would not serve a clear and constructive purpose. I have sent an explanation of my reasons for this decision to the Chairman of the Police Authority and others concerned. I am making this explanation public today and have put copies in the Library in the House.
The primary aim must now be to avoid a recurrence of a similar situation in future years. I know that this view is shared by many who have a direct interest in this problem, and that constructive efforts—which I welcome—are being made to devise more acceptable arrangements for the future.