§ Mr. Roseasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why permission for a march by the National Front in the Manchester area at a cost to the taxpayer of £250,000 in respect of additional police duties was kept secret.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThere is no obligation on the police to make public information given to them by the organisers about a proposed march.
The decision of the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester was an operational matter for him and he has made his reasons public; I have, however, expressed the view that he and his force deserve great credit for preventing serious public disorder in Manchester on that day.