§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the recent decisions of the majority of police who have voted for industrial rights on a basis similar 200W to that of all other industrial workers, and of the fact that the police are civilian forces, he will introduce the necessary legislation to seek to permit them to have the same rights as all other workers in civil employment.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesI refer my hon. Friend to my reply to his Question on Monday 31st January—[Vol. 925, cols. 1–2.] Since that time a number of police forces have had ballots on the question of industrial rights, but there has been no national ballot. I have offered the Police Federation an inquiry into their constitution, and I hope that, once the present dispute on pay is resolved, we can make progress in setting this up. The inquiry will include the position of the police with regard to industrial rights bearing in mind also, of course, their unique position in the maintenance of public order. It would be wrong to take decisions on matters of such importance to the whole community until Parliament has considered the recommendations of the inquiry.