§ Mr. Bidwellasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he has completed his study of the events concerning race relations leading to violence during the last general election; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will make a statement on the prospect of amending the Public Order Act 1936 in the light of events during the last general election period;
(3) if he has considered the working of the Representation of the People Act in the light of the events in Southall during the last general election period.
§ Mr. WhitelawIn my statement on 27 June I announced various steps that were being undertaken following the events in Southall on 22 and 23 April. The review of the Public Order Act 1936 and related legislation, which includes relevant provisions of the Representation of the People Act 1949, is still in progress.
140WThe Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that his review of his community relations organisation has been completed and is being considered; additional resources have been allocated to the police schools programme in Southall; and discussions continue to be held with Asian community leaders with a view to improving relations between the police and the local community.