asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now publish the police report on investigations into the police handling of the Quaye case.

No, Sir. I can see no reason for departing from the longstanding principle that such reports are not published.

Is not the Minister aware that such reports are published and that whenever I have asked the police to conduct an investigation into a case they have always written to me to tell me what their conclusions were? Why cannot that be done this time? Is it not intolerable that the police not only conduct investigations into their own cases but that now, apparently, we are not supposed to find out what has happened to the investigation which was concluded?

I think the hon. Member must be wrong. As far as I know the conclusions of this investigation were referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions in the normal way. I know that there is an added complication in that the family concerned, acting on the advice of their solicitors, have refused to be interviewed in the course of the inquiry. I certainly accept that the outcome of the inquiry is normally known and I will look further into the matter, but the Question asked for the report as such to be published.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply I beg to give notice I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the percentage increase in crimes of violence against the person, and robberies, respectively in the five years since 1967; and how this compares with the overall percentage increase for all crimes in that period.

Indictable offences of violence against the person known to the police in England and Wales increased by 61·9 per cent, between 1967 and 1971. Because of the changes brought about by the Theft Act, 1968, the figures for robbery, and for all indictable offences, for 1969 and subsequent years cannot be compared directly with those for earlier years.

Would my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary agree that the trend is for the most serious forms of crime—crimes like robbery and offences against the person—to increase by more than the average, and has not the time come to take a new initiative against professional crime in this country, notably by strengthening the CID?

I agree that the most serious feature of the crime statistics is that violent crime has risen much more rapidly than crime as a whole. The way to deal with this is by strengthening the police forces, which we are doing and shall continue to do, and by giving adequate powers to the courts.

Will the Home Secretary give his view of the frequent tendency for courts to give armed robbers, for example, sentences considerably below what Parliament has set as the maximum? Can he say whether, in his view, the system under which the police are enabled to take steps to prevent, for example, the holding of guns in places where they are relatively accessible might not be strengthened?

I believe there is at present an inquiry into the subject of the second part of the question and I will look into it. On the first point, any Home Secretary must be careful about commenting on the sentences passed by the courts, but I am sure the courts are well aware of what is said in Parliament on these occasions.

Many of us were glad of the concern that my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary expressed about violence on the screen. Has he come to any conclusion about whether there is a connection between this and the rise in violent crime?

He would be a very bold man who said he was satisfied that there was a connection. To my mind it is surprising that the coincidence is so strong. I have been and I shall continue to be in contact with those concerned with this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he intends to take to ensure that retailing systems, the introduction of which he believes has led to an increase in shoplifting, are controlled.

This is a matter for the retailers themselves, not for control by legislation.

Did my hon. and learned Friend see the Law Society Gazette last week after the Adjournment debate that week? Does he accept that there is a connection between the increase in shoplifting and the increase in the number of supermarkets? Will he now give some assurance to those of us who are concerned about the problem that he is prepared to take the bull by the horns and to consider legislation on the subject?

Obviously it is arguable that there could be some connection between the way in which goods are displayed, temptation of the customer and the amount of goods that disappear, but I do not see that it is a matter for Government legislation. Methods of merchandising and the way in which shops conduct their business must surely be a matter for them to decide.

Does the hon. and learned Gentleman agree that retailers who operate self-service stores and supermarkets will not take any action unless the Government force it upon them? Is he aware of the very high rate of acquittals of those who plead not guilty? Is it not time the Government took steps?

In reply to the hon. and learned Gentleman's first point, perhaps I should have added that a working party on internal shop security is, as my hon. Friend knows, considering problems of shop-lifting and theft by shop staff. I repeat, however, that the manner of merchandising must be a matter for the shopkeepers, although advice may be given. On the hon. and learned Gentleman's second point, all I can say is that prosecutions are a matter for the relevant authorities, or private prosecutions for the shops themselves if they decide to bring them. There has always been freedom to bring private prosecutions, and I have on various occasions expressed the view that I do not think we should be justified in interfering in that long-standing right.

Will my hon. and learned Friend accept from one who still practises in magistrates' courts that the statistics of these offences bear no relation to the deep agony and misery caused to many people and their families, often for a lifetime, and will he seriously reconsider his reply?

Of course I accept that when anyone is wrongly charged with any offence it is a matter of great distress to him. But I do not think there is any evidence to justify the Home Office in altering what has been the long-standing practice with regard to prosecutions.

But does not the hon. and learned Gentleman recognise that as it was the present Government which wound up the Consumer Council, which might well have been able to give advice on supermarket display, a heavy responsibility falls upon the Government to avoid precisely the kind of distress to which his hon. Friend has referred?

I do not think the question has anything to do with winding up the Consumer Council. I am sure that Governments of either complexion would feel that we should not legislate to control how shops carry on their business. They must take into account the views of the public and take what they believe to be the appropriate action.

Does my hon. and learned Friend agree that it is not always fair to blame the supermarket owners, as some hon. Members are doing, and that there is occasionally a liability on the public to be honest?

Exactly. The fact remains that modern methods of merchandising of goods are popular with both shoppers and shopkeepers.

And with thieves.

I agree entirely with what my hon. Friend says about the responsibility of the individual.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions have been secured, in the last two years, for the use of pole traps; and if he will consider taking further steps to prevent the use of this illegal device.

I regret that the information asked for in the first part of the Question is not available. The use of these devices is prohibited by Section 5 of the Protection of Birds Act, 1954, and my right hon. Friend has no further legislative proposals in mind.

Will the hon. Gentleman reconsider this matter? Is he not aware that conviction appears to depend entirely upon an admission of guilt in this situation? Pole trapping is continuing on many estates. Is he aware that in recent months over 100 birds of prey have been poled, including the golden eagle and the merlin, both of which are supposed to be fully protected?

I will look at the matter again and will consider any further information the hon. Gentleman likes to send me. The latest figures available show that in 1969 and 1970 together a total of 17 persons were convicted of killing or taking wild birds by prohibited methods of all kinds.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he will now consult with the professional bodies and oraginsations about whose members chief constables have been advised that they may forward information under the circulars issued by his Department, with a view to instituting a system whereby the affected individuals are given the same information;

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish all circulars issued by his Department about the supply of information on misdemeanours of individuals to professional bodies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for reports from chief constables as to the practice of the police in providing information to professional and other bodies about a person's previous conviction; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice his Department has given about the disclosure of information to professional bodies by police authorities.

The organisations to which reports are supplied have responsibility for people who are in positions of trust. These arrangements have been in force for a number of years. But I recognise that there is public concern about these arrangements and I am having them reviewed.

While I am grateful to the Home Secretary for that assurance, may I ask what he thinks of organisations which ask for such reports on their members from the police, and what does he think about chief constables who obviously exceed the advice he gives and supply completely irrelevant information, such as whether they feel that people have inferiority complexes? Will he do something to bring above ground this vast underground labyrinth of the peddling of personal profiles?

I cannot accept the premises behind that supplementary question. The advice we give is that convictions recorded in open court should be made known. For example, where a person convicted of a crime against a child happens to be in charge of children, it is obviously something the employer should know. It is entirely information made known in open court that is supposed to be transmitted under this system.

Supposed to be.

We welcome the fact that the right hon. Gentleman is concerned about the matter. Will he give an assurance that all circulars and advice about these official tale-telling procedures will be made public, and certainly that where a copy of the letter is sent to the professional body a copy will also be sent to the person affected, that it will deal only with relevant convictions and that it will not relate to matters other than convictions—that disclosure will not contain subjective comments?

Certainly. As I have said, the purpose is to convey to those who should know publicly-recorded convictions. I do not think that could properly be described as tale-telling. I think there is a lot in the hon. Gentleman's second point that people should be told what is being said about them.

I welcome the right hon. Gentleman's initial reply. Will he in particular consider promoting an inquiry into the case of the midwife, because in that case there was apparently no prosecution and some of the information is allegedly false?

I shall certainly consider that. I am very conscious of the need to avoid untrue information being circulated. Our view is that what should be made available in certain circumstances is details of convictions recorded in open court—nothing more.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the number of private cars that are now used for minicab purposes in the greater London area.

I have no reliable information on which to base such an estimate.

Can the hon. Gentleman assure us that he will introduce legislation to amend the London Cab Act, 1968, to eliminate the ruthless exploitation of the public by these so-called private operators?

My right hon. Friend is very aware of the feeling in the trade that Section 4 of that Act in particular needs amending and he has already undertaken to consider any proposals that may be made to him.

Does my hon. Friend accept that in the use of private vehicles there is an additional danger to the public since they are not automatically covered by insurance, and that any pedestrian or other vehicle involved in an accident with these illegal vehicles is similarly not covered by insurance?

Yes, Sir, and I am grateful to my hon. Friend for drawing the attention of the House to that fact, which we shall keep in mind.

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that even where insurance arrangements may be in order there appears to be a growing practice of agencies advertising a taxi service, which turns out to be provided by private people of all sorts, sometimes even middle class women making pin money by using their own private vehicles? I ask the hon. Gentleman to look at this very carefully. Taxi cab drivers and owners of taxis operating under the hackney carriage licensing system are right to be gravely anxious about this developing situation.

Nobody is satisfied with the present situation. We shall try to bear all these points, grievances and complaints in mind in reviewing the situation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement concerning the case of Mr. Errol Folkes, who was kept in custody from 9th September, 1971, to 7th March, 1972, and subsequently acquitted on a charge of entering a flat as a trespasser with intent to steal, which case was ordered to be reported to his Department by Lord Dunboyne, the trial judge.

Despite the several safeguards available, Mr. Folkes was regretably detailed in custody although the court had granted bail subject to a satisfactory surety being found and such a surety was available. My noble Friend the Lord Chancellor and I share the concern that has been expressed about this case and we are reviewing the relevant procedures.

Whilst I thank the hon. and learned Gentleman for that reply. and the customary courtesy and interest he displayed in this case in writing to me at such length about it, may I have an assurance from him that the general inquiries into the case, quite apart from those relating to the administrative difficulties which have arisen, will continue so that this man, who has suffered such appalling injustice, may look to the future with some confidence?

As I have said, we will review all the relevant procedures. I realise that things went wrong in the case to which the hon. Gentleman refers, and we will consider it in the inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he proposes to hold with the Prison Officers' Association on further relaxation of prison rules.

Consultation with staff is a continuing process. But while my right hon. Friend keeps prison conditions under close review, he does not at present have in mind any major changes for discussion.

I note that reply. Can the hon. and learned Gentleman say why there was no consultation with the Prison Officers' Association prior to the recent relaxation of prison rules? Is he aware of the severe criticism being made by the association about lack of consultation with it? Will he assure us that before changes are made—and I emphasise "before"—there will be the fullest consultation with the association?

I am advised that recent changes in conditions for unconvicted prisoners were the outcome of discussions which involved the governors of establishments dealing with such prisoners, that before their introduction at Brixton they were discussed by the regional director with the Brixton branch of the Prison Officers' Association and that the branch expressed its full support.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many homeless people were prosecuted for vagrancy or for other similar offences in 1961 and 1971.

I regret that this information is not available. The number of persons prosecuted for "sleeping rough" under Section 4 of the Vagrancy Act, 1824, was 950 in 1961 and 401 in 1971.

Does the hon. and learned Gentleman agree with the view expressed in The Timestoday by John Snow, director of the New Horizon Youth Centre, that it is wrong to stigmatise many of the young homeless as mere vagrants, drifters or drop-outs and that they need care and concern and, above all, homes? What do the Government propose to do about it?

As the hon. and learned Gentleman probably knows, the law of vagrancy and street offences is under review by the Department. Housing for the homeless is a matter for my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for the Environment and the Secretary of State for Social Services, to whom questions on it should be addressed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of members of the former Royal Irish Constabulary living in the Irish Republic in receipt of British Government retirement pensions; what is the amount of each pension according to retirement rank; when these pensions were last reviewed; if he is satisfied that, as £195 per annum is the amount above which, in the Republic, no other pension is payable, these pensions are adequate compensation for the service given to the Crown in Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

Four hundred and eighty one. I have no reason to think that the awards, most of which were compensation allowances for loss of office, are inadequate for the purpose for which they were intended. The amounts vary according to length of service and rate of pay. United Kingdom pensions increase legislation applies to them.

Does the hon. and learned Gentleman agree that these members of the old Royal Irish Constabulary gave signal service in a very difficult period in Irish history? Does he also agree that the value of the £has decreased since these pensions were last reviewed and that it is likely still further to decrease, probably very rapidly? Would he also agree with me that because there are so few of these pensioners it would be a good gesture by Her Majesty's Government to do something for them, especially as there is a very low standard of social services in the Irish Republic?

I have no doubt as to the service which these men gave. The position is that these are compensation allowances which were paid at the time of the 1922 Act, that they are all subject to this country's pensions increase Acts and that the purchasing power of the original awards has been maintained. We believe therefore that they are adequate for the purpose for which they were intended. They are dealt with under the same rules as apply to any other retirement pensions in the public sector.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ask the Royal Commission on the Constitution to expedite its report, in view of its relevance to the reform of local government and to the situation in Ulster.

No, Sir. The Commission aims to complete its report by the end of this year.

Does my hon. Friend recall that the Redcliffe-Maud Commission said that the question of local government finance was one for the Royal Commission on the Constitution? Does he consider that if the Commission is to recommend some form of regional assemblies in this country, that suggestion may help to produce a solution to the problem in Ulster in recommending something to replace the prorogued Stormont?

That is certainly possible. My hon. Friend will no doubt remember that in the White Paper on local government reform last year it was made clear that the former chairman of the Commission had told the Government that there was not likely to be anything in the report which would warrant delay in proceeding with the reform of local government below provincial level.

Does my hon. Friend appreciate that the report may be extremely relevant to the all-party discussions in Northern Ireland, which are likely, one hopes, to commence fairly soon, and that one would wish to have it available? Will he consider in these special circumstances having the relevant piece extracted and made available?

Certainly it will be relevant but I do not think my hon. Friend's suggestion is practicable. The Commission has a number of important and interrelated subjects to consider. It is working with all possible speed and cannot expedite its report further, but I hope it will be able to keep to the target date of the end of this year for publication.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to provide that judges be obliged to take evidence from defence lawyers when asked by police prosecutors for a voluntary bill of indictment to transfer a case from a lower court to a higher court after the lower court has started its hearing.

The Government have no immediate plans for amending the relevant rules, but the question will be kept under review.

Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that some people in Wales are coming to feel that bills of indictment are being granted like dog licences on application to one prosecuting lawyer? Does he not think, in view of a recent disturbing case, that the advice of lawyers on both sides of a case, let alone the magistrates concerned, should be sought before a bill of indictment is granted?

If that is so, there must be very few dogs in Wales since I understand that the bill of indictment procedure has been used on three occasions. The procedure has always been that application is made by the prosecution and there is no specific provision under the rules for the defence to be heard in an application to a High Court judge. But we will keep the question under review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints by members of the public have been brought to his Depart- ment's attention in respect of the manner and style of arrests by the police in the Metropolitan Police area in 1970, 1971 and the first four months of 1972.

I regret that the information is not readily available.

I am naturally disappointed by that reply. I do not wish to cast aspersions in general on the excellent work of the police but I am sure that other hon. Members have come across such cases as well. Will my right hon. Friend from time to time have discussions with the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police about the manner of arrests for very minor offences?

The position is that the information my hon. Friend seeks is not recorded in the form for which he asks. I know the case about which he is concerned and I have written to him about it. The new Commissioner, Mr. Robert Mark, is paying particular attention to the question of complaints and I entirely support what he is doing.

The whole House recognises that almost all policemen do their job very well, but we also recognise, as Mr. Mark recognises, that public confidence in the police is extremely important. In view of this, and of one or two disturbing cases which have been reported in the Press recently, will the right hon. Gentleman once again consider whether there is not a case for some independent element in police inquiries?

I do not think it is fully understood that wherever any question of a criminal offence is involved it goes to the Director of Public Prosecutions, whose scrutiny is independent. Where a criminal offence is not involved I think the present system is a good one, but I am following with great interest what Mr. Mark is doing.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the complaints which have come to me have been fully and satisfactorily investigated?

I believe that to be the general experience, although one gets individual complaints that it is not so, as one is bound to do. I must point out, however, that the number of letters of commendation received by the police is far in excess of the number of complaints.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of us agree that the police have a very difficult task to perform but there have been a number of protests recently, particularly in North London, about a special patrol group which has been indulging in "blitz" tactics in the streets and making arrests? These tactics have given rise to many complaints among my constituents.

If the hon. Gentleman will send me details I will have them investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to amend the Police Act, 1964, to give him powers to direct chief constables and police authorities not to use public funds to purchase equipment manufactured abroad when equivalent British products are available.

No, Sir: it would not be right to limit the discretion of police authorities in that way.

While I appreciate my hon. and learned Friend's reluctance to assume new powers, may I ask whether he has not at least some informal means of communicating with police authorities such as Thames Valley and advising them on the unwisdom of using public funds to buy foreign motor cars when, in the case of the Thames Valley police, it is on the doorstep of a major section of the British motor industry?

I am sure my hon. Friend will realise that the question of whether to buy and what type of vehicle to buy must be left to the discretion of the police authority. I am sure that foreign equipment is bought only in those cases when the police authority concerned considers that it will carry out the purpose for which it is required better than the British equivalent. The vast majority of cars being used by the police are British and I am sure that what my hon. Friend has said will be noted.

Does the hon. and learned Gentleman realise that for those of us representing car manufacturing constituencies it is rather daunting to see the police driving around in Volvos and Volkswagens? If the police want to promote better public understanding and better public relations, surely there are better ways of doing it than this.

We must keep this in proportion. The best advice I can be given is that out of 19,000 vehicles being used by the police forces in this country it is believed there may be 100 foreign cars. I am sure that those responsible for purchasing will take note of the comments that have been made.

If my hon. and learned Friend were to give advice to the police authorities after 1st January next year, which clause in the Treaty of Rome would be infringed?

That is not a matter for me.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will seek powers to ban the use of animals in television advertising.

No, Sir.

How would the Minister like to be one of the Brooke-Bond television monkeys?

He is.

How would he like to be dressed in a strange uniform, made to rehearse for weeks on end and then stuck in a colour television studio for long periods and made to perform unnatural acts? How—

Order. The hon. Member has gone quite far enough. The Minister has enough to answer.

I know the hon. Member's great concern about animal welfare, and if he would like to meet me to discuss this I will be pleased to do so. Meantime I have no evidence that existing legislation is inadequate to prevent possible abuse in situations like this. The hon. Gentleman is proposing a total ban and I do not think we want to use a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

Would my hon. Friend accept that many of us who derive a great deal of pleasure, amusement and enjoyment from these advertisements welcome that reply as it will do nothing to dispel the delightful day when the lugubrious Henry will desert his bowl of meat and begin to devour Mr. Clement Freud?

It is very good to have the other side of the argument put so well.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will ensure that in future special inspections of a police force, similar to the recent Leeds investigation, the report of the inspectors will be published in full.

No, Sir.

Would my right hon. Friend reconsider this decision on the ground that it would produce greater public confidence? If there was nothing to fear in the reports it would show the strength of the police, and if there was something it would show the confidence we had in telling the public of the problems.

The inspectors' reports have always been confidential and I am sure that this is right. They are very thorough and they ought to remain confidential. If there is a need for an inquiry of a public character there could be a local inquiry under Section 32 of the Police Act, 1964.

Has the right hon. Gentleman given further consideration to the idea floated many times on both sides of the House that there should be independent inquiries into the conduct of the police so that the public and the police may have a fair hearing?

I do not think I can add anything to what I have said in the past in reply to similar questions, including the one I answered a few months ago.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what authority he has given instructions to the police in Manchester not to inter- vene in a case of illegal trespass in an industrial dispute in a factory in that area, the name of which has been sent to him.

I have no authority to give such instructions and have given none.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply may I ask whether he is aware that in the incident in question the three persons who entered the factory were members of the International Socialists, a body with an alien philosophy, and that they apparently entered that factory at the invitation of a factory convener, a self-confessed Communist? Would my right hon. Friend agree that any restrictions placed on the police acting in instances of this sort cannot help either responsible trade unionists or responsible management to achieve harmonious industrial relations?

I must make it clear that no restrictions are placed or can be placed on the police in enforcing the law.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the Manchester area there is at the moment great bitterness among the workers which is being manifested, for example, by sit-ins? Is he aware that if the police were in any way to become involved in this situation it would exacerbate that bitterness because of the strong feeling in our area about Government policies which are bringing this situation about?

I will not enter into the question of Government policies. What I should say is that in problems of this kind the police have to act with very great discretion and I think they handle these problems with extraordinary tact and skill. They should be allowed to get on with their job as they do it by and large pretty well.

Would the right hon. Gentleman agree that the Question, by prejudging and stating that a criminal offence has been committed where none has been charged, is far from helpful and can only make the situation a great deal worse?

I am not sure whether the word "illegal" necessarily means criminal. It might mean a civil offence, which could well be involved.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied with measures now being taken by public authorities to ensure safety in public fairgrounds; and if he will make a statement.

After the tragic fairground accident in the right hon. Member's constituency, of which I learned with deep regret, local authorities were asked to take all practicable steps within their existing powers to ensure the safety of members of the public visiting fairgrounds. My right hon. Friend is also arranging urgent discussions with the local authority associations and the Greater London Council about the possible need to strengthen the law.

Would the hon. Gentleman agree that this accident has disclosed gaps in the responsibility for safety in fairgrounds and will he take energetic steps with local authorities to see that these are closed?

Certainly. We sent a circular to all local authorities early this month. I should like to repeat what I said in the debate on Monday night. I hope that local authorities will urgently take action now to improve the safety of fairs in their areas during the holiday season when millions of people will be using them.

Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied that there is not a similar problem with things such as fire precautions and other safety precautions? Is he satisfied that there are the staff available to do this work?

Yes. I do not think there should be any difficulty on that account. What concerns me is that I understand that only 53 local authorities in all have so far made bye-laws under either the Public Health Act or local Acts. This is an aspect at which I hope local authorities will be looking urgently.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give figures covering each of the last five years to show how often imitations of real firearms have been used in connec- tion with crimes committed, and whether that use is increasing.

In the four years 1967 to 1970, the numbers of indictable offences known to the police in England and Wales in which imitation firearms were used were 62, 78, 72 and 84. Figures for 1971 are not yet available.

Is my hon. and learned Friend aware that there are a number of advertisements offering for sale very realistic imitations of revolvers for about £14 each? Is he further aware that these are not intended for use as toys by children? Will he consider taking steps to control their sale?

I am aware of that. I should point out, in case it is not realised, that it is an offence under the Firearms Act to carry a firearm whether it be real or imitation if it is carried with intent to commit an indictable offence. I am sure my hon. Friend will agree that there are very real difficulties in trying to impose any control on the sale of replicas.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish in the Official Report a detailed list of the Secondary Legislation of the Rules, Regulations and Decisions of the European Economic Community which will affect his Department and its ministerial responsibilities; in what way each such piece of legislation will affect his departmental activities; and to what extent he has met, or intends to meet, persons concerned to discuss the effects of such legislation on matters falling within his ministerial responsibilities.

The Home Office has a primary interest in the instruments on free movement of persons in parts 9 and 10 of the Community Secondary Legislation and a general interest in a number of others. They will not have a major effect on my right hon. Friend's responsibilities. Consultation will be undertaken where necessary.

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his reply on the first part of the Question. Can he give more detailed information on the other parts? We are concerned about the question of free movement, particularly if it might adversely affect British Commonwealth citizens. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman would give us details about how his Department will be affected by this legislation.

There are a number of regulations, directives and decisions which I was looking at again this morning. I shall send the hon. Gentleman a list of them, and if he wants further information I hope he will get in touch with me.

I am obliged.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation making it an offence for persons to congregate or loiter in an area where a disaster has taken place and an emergency situation exists.

I doubt whether that would be the right way of tackling the problem, but I shall consider the suggestion when I have the reports which I have asked the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis to prepare on the recent accidents at Eltham and Staines.

I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for that reply. Does he agree that the two recent disasters—one a railway crash and the other the BEA aircraft crash at Heathrow—brought forth a horrifying situation in which people who can only be regarded as ghouls came to the scene of the tragedy and got in the way of the emergency services? Should not something be done to ensure that the police and ambulance men are not prevented from bringing succour and aid to the injured and to people in grave danger of death?

I very much agree with my hon. Friend. It is deplorable when large crowds of sightseers make it difficult for ambulances and the fire services to get through. We are urgently examining with the Commissioner the question of what can be done. I do not think my hon. Friend's suggestion would help because the police already have power to proceed against people for obstructing the highway. To create an additional offence of congregating would not help.

We appreciate the difficulties about legislation on this issue but there is grave public concern. I wonder whether the right hon. Gentleman has considered asking the authorities in charge of the BBC and independent television whether, when there is a serious accident in an urban area, they would consider delaying news flashes for half an hour to enable the police to ring the area so that rescue services can get to it? Will he bring to their attention the undesirability of showing on the television screen pictures of people who are gravely ill or dying?

I have already written to the chairmen on the first point, which is very valuable, and I shall certainly add the second.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now take steps to prepare legislation to make it an offence either to belong to the Irish Republican Army while resident in, or on a temporary visit to, Great Britan or for anyone in Great Britain to take any active steps to encourage or further the aims of the Irish Republican Army either directly or indirectly; and if he will make a statement.

Such legislation would involve considerable difficulties of definition and enforcement. I do not think it would be justified in present circumstances and I do not have any step of this kind in contemplation at the present time.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that members of the IRA have boasted publicly on BBC television that they are responsible for the deaths of up to 400 civilians in the United Kingdom in the last four years? Is he further aware that the television programme "Panorama" interviewed a leading member of the Provisional IRA, a man called David O'Connell, earlier this week on television? What steps is my right hon. Friend taking to ensure that those responsible for this interview and for paying fees to a member of the Provisional IRA who murdered a staff sergeant in my constituency at three minutes to 12 on Sunday night are brought to justice in a proper manner in this country?

My hon. Friend will know what I have said in the past when I was responsible for Northern Ireland affairs. I yield to no one in my hatred of the wicked activities of the terrorists in Northern Ireland. But to implement my hon. Friend's proposal for legislation would be difficult. It would be extraordinarily difficult to define the organisations involved for proscribing and even more difficult to prove membership of such an organisation.

In view of the totally unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to improve immigration control at Immingham and other ports.

The arrangements for immigration control at the ports are kept under review, and changes are introduced as necessary.

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Would he concede that the events which took place at Immingham when the "ink woman" managed to enter this country after three abortive attempts—and it was only because of the Press publicity and Press conference that she was held—show the lack of security at ports and particularly at Immingham?

No. I repudiate what my hon. Friend has said. The inquiries which we have made throw a good deal of light on what happened when Miss Kwiatkowski got into this country, but obviously it is not in the public interest that I should give details about it, or about the precautions which we take and will continue to take. She entered the United Kingdom without being granted leave to land and was removed under Articles 8 and 9 of the Aliens Order.