§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison officers are known to him to be members of the National Front; what are their grades; where they are located; and if any of them are responsible for black or coloured prisoners.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesPrison officers, like other civil servants, are not barred from674W membership of political organisations. I am unable to say how many prison officers are members of the National Front because officers are not bound to notify me that they are members of any political organisation. As my hon. Friend is aware, the political views and activities of the "politically free" grades of civil servants—which include prison officers—are a matter for official attention only if they interfere with the performance of an officer's duties.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ensure that, in the light of the known racialist views of members of the National Front, no prison officer who is a member of the organisation will have responsibilities for black or coloured prisoners.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesNo.
§ Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the activities of the National Front amongst certain officers in Strangeways Prison, Manchester.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the Questions from my hon. Friend the Member for Ormskirk (Mr. Kilroy-Silk) on 7th December.—[Vol. 922, c.109–110.]