§ Sir Eldon GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will invite the Commission for Racial Equality and the local police community liaison committees set up under the Police and Criminal Justice Act to clarify to the leaders of ethnic minority groups that he has no power to ban the publication of Mr. Salman Rushdie's hook, "The Satanic Verses."
§ Mr. HurdThe Minister of State and I have taken every opportunity to explain the position directly to the Moslem communities. My impression is that their representatives are well aware that I have no power to ban the publication of Mr. Rushdie's "The Satanic Verses". I welcome the press statement by the Commission for Racial Equality, sent to all community relations councils, condemning the Ayatollah's statements, paying tribute to the way Moslems have adapted to the requirements of this country and calling for tolerance. I also welcome what the police are doing to explain the legal position to community leaders through various channels of communication; police community consultative groups are available for this purpose.