HC Deb 17 January 1994 vol 235 cc374-5W
Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set up an inquiry into organised crime and protection racketeering in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Charles Wardle

I have no plans to do so. However, the hon. Member may be aware of an inquiry into organised crime currently being undertaken by the Home Affairs Committee to examine the threat from organised crime and to consider the most effective ways of responding to that threat.

Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has been given by the chief constable of Northumbria regarding the prevalence of protection rackets and organised crime in his region.

Mr. Charles Wardle

The chief constable is aware of media reports about organised crime in his force area. He acknowledges that protection rackets do exist in some parts of Tyne and Wear. Concerted efforts are being made by Northumbria police to tackle this type of crime. These are operational matters for which the chief constable is responsible.

Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to deal with protection rackets in the leisure industry in major cities.

Mr. Charles Wardle

The investigation of alleged criminal offences is an operational matter for inividual chief officers of police.