§ Mr. Bidwellasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were arrested in Southall on 23 April 1979 in connection with the anti-National Front demonstration; of these, how many were charged by the police and were brought before the courts, respectively; how many pleaded guilty and not guilty, respectively; and in how many cases the police did not proceed with prosecutions at Ealing and Barnet magistrates' court.
§ Mr. BrittanI understand from the Commissioner that 361 people were arrested in connection with the disturbances in Southall on 22 and 23 April 1979. Of these, 344 were charged, all of whom appeared before the courts. 514 charges were preferred, in respect of which 35 pleas of guilty and 357 of not guilty were entered, no plea being entered in relation to the remaining 122 charges. 185W It is not possible to say how many charges were not proceeded with, as alternative charges were preferred in some cases.