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Hackney (Disturbances)

Volume 168: debated on Friday 9 March 1990

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9.34 am

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. You will be aware that there were scenes of violence and looting last night in Hackney, which all of us in Hackney deplore. However, you will also be aware, Mr. Speaker, that Ministers have been making misleading statements about that outside the House. I should be grateful if you would advise me whether there is any means by which I may pursue this matter, either by an application under Standing Order No. 20 today, or by such an application on Monday.

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. Have you received any application from the leader of the Labour party to make a statement dissociating himself from the violence, because it is evident that many members of the Labour party were involved in the protest? Will the Opposition condemn the violence or sit silent? We want a statement from them.

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. The hon. Member for Gainsborough and Horncastle (Mr. Leigh) may not have been in the Chamber yesterday afternoon during Prime Minister's Question Time when my right hon. Friend the Leader of the Opposition made it very clear that the Labour party totally dissociates itself from the violence.

These are not points of order for me. I am sure that the whole House deplores what we have seen on our television screens and what has been reported in the press. I cannot advise the hon. Member for Hackney, North and Stoke Newington (Ms. Abbott) on tactics, but if she would like to come to see me privately, I shall give her some guidance.