§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Solicitor-General for Scotland what are the latest available figures for the number of persons charged with offences related to picketing during the miners' dispute, the numbers of persons against whom proceedings have been taken, the numbers of persons convicted, and in each case, the offences with which persons have been charged.
§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandThe most readily available information on the number of persons arrested, proceeded against by procurators fiscal and convicted in respect of offences arising out of the present miners' dispute is as follows.
In the period to 7 December1984, 1,406 persons have been arrrested in connection with such offences; in the period to 28 November 1984, 827 persons have been proceeded against by procurators fiscal and 208 persons have been convicted in respect of such offences. Information on the nature of offences in respect of which charges have been brought by procurators fiscal and persons have been convicted is contained in my replies given to the hon. Member for Hammersmith (Mr. Soley) on 4 December 1984 at columns 102–103.
§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Solicitor-General for Scotland if he has issued any guidance to chief constables about the use of their powers which enable them to seek to limit the number of people picketing at any particular entry to a place of work.
§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandNeither my noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate nor I have issued any such guidance to chief constables.