§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis with regard to incidents of public disorder which occurred in Hassell street, Whitechapel, on 1 and 2 April; what was the ethnic breakdown of the persons involved; and if he will make a statement on the substance of the report.
§ Mr. HurdThe Commissioner tells us that he has been unable to identify any incident of public disorder in Hassell street, London El on 1 or 2 April. My hon. Friend may have in mind an incident which took place on 30 March, outside the Shalamar restaurant in Hassell street. At about 11.45 pm there was an argument over a parking space between four Asian men who had just arrived at the restaurant and four other men who had been sitting inside. A fight broke out and knives were produced. In the course of the fighting two of the Asians sustained fatal injuries; another was seriously injured. Police officers were called and the injured people were taken to hospital. Four men were arrested and have been charged with murder. The matter is now sub judice. Of those arrested, two were white, one Asian and one of mixed race.