HC Deb 17 January 1978 vol 942 cc135-6W
Mr. Ron Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will publish in the Official Report a frequency distribution indicating the alleged offences committed by those charged by the police in connection with the industrial dispute at Grunwick; and what are the numbers involved in each category;

(2) how many people so far have been arrested by the police in connection with the industrial dispute at Grunwick.

Dr. Summerskill

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that, since 13th June 1977, 500 people have been arrested in conection with picketing at the Grunwick factory. Some have been charged with more than one offence. The offences for which those arrested hake been charged are as follows:

Obstructing a police officer in the execution of his duty. 208
Threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour 114
Obstruction of the highway 106
Assaulting a police officer 104
Criminal damage 6
Possession of an offensive weapon 4
Assault occasioning grievous bodily harm 1
Assault occasioning actual bodily harm 1

Mr. Ron Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish in the Official Report a frequency distributor indicating how many of those charged with alleged offences in connection with the industrial dispute at Grunwick have been tried by a court, the offences they were charged with, and how many and what proportion in each category were found guilty.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to a Question by the hon. Member for Chelsea (Mr. Scott) on 9th January. I regret that the other information could not be obtained without disproportionate effort and expense.—[Vol. 941, c.614.]

Mr. Ron Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of those charged with alleged offences in connection with the industrial dispute at Grunwick applied for legal aid; and how many legal aid certificates were granted.

Mr. John

It would not be possible, without disproportionate effort and expense, to distinguish from other applicants for legal aid those charged with offences arising out of the industrial dispute at the Grunwick factory.