asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice has been given to magistrates concerning the refusal of bail and custodial sentences for pickets who have committed criminal offences.

These are matters for judicial discretion on which I have issued no advice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has given to chief constables with regard to the law in respect of picketing and the arrest of those who break the law.

The enforcement of the criminal law is the responsibility of chief officers of police, and it is not appropriate for me to give instructions or guidance on how they should discharge this responsibility. The statement made by my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General on 25 January has been drawn to their attention.