§ 27. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his announced investigation committee into alleged attacks upon ethnic minorities will include the question of attacks upon homes, businesses, and places of worship; whether questions of the alleged delays and procrastination upon the part of the police in investigating such complaints will be included; and whether hon. Members will be able to submit evidence on delays by the police in confirming statements and complaints of hon. Members demanding action.
§ Mr. MayhewThe study will embrace all attacks of an allegedly racialist nature. Complaints against the police about specific incidents fall to be dealt with under the appropriate statutory procedure.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why it took his Department until 6 March to reply to the communication dated 9 January from the hon. Member for Newham, North-West giving details of attacks upon the ethnic minorities in Newham, and their religious temple; what was contained in this eventual reply which could not have been sent earlier; and whether he will ensure that the police deal more expeditiously with such matters.
§ Mr. MayhewThe information sought by the hon. Member was not availabl within the Home Office or centrally within the Metropolitan Police. We and they always try to deal with correspondence from the hon. Member as quickly as possible.