their ability to build on anti-trish chau vinism and exploit issues like the re-introduction of capital punishment. It introduces the possibility of systematic police harassment of Irish workers and indeed the possible arrest of anyone opposed to present British policy in Iraland. It brings internment to Brit ain in the form of seven days detention without-trial. It imposes censorship of the media by making it illegal to express legitimate political views.
We reject the idea that the violence of the irish situation can be resolved by increasing the powers of the British state; a solution can only come with an end to attempts to impose a British salution to the Irish question. Vie urge the broadest campaign be organised in the working cless movement far: THE REPEAL OF THE JENKINS ACT THE WITHDRAWAL OF BRITISH TROOPS FROM IRELAND. The debate in Parliament about Labour's anti-terrorist" law showed the Labow Party opponents'of Government policy to be totally confused.
Some wood up to point out the big dangers for the workers" movement i such a law. Others pointed out that the Birminghum bombings were the result of both Tory and Labour Government policy in Ireland, and that more repression was But in the end they all voted for the lawt rne main proup of the Tabour lett Tribune Group-backed the lam asa whole, Initing themsoles to a few ar one point actually spoke in favour of a Tary-sponsored amendrient that would have made the Inw'esen more aweeping.
Even the two pathetle Tribane ameniments propusing a body to hear appeals apunst deportations, and anothor body to investigate complints that the police were abusing their new power to hold suspects- gained no sapport trom the "lefts" in the Goverument. Eric HefFer, for example, voted against botb.
The tallowing are some of the statements made be Labour MPs who had doubts abou! Roy Jenkins's proposals pooll.
Sheffield, Healey!. ... the Bill gives the police certain powers which in torms of our traditions are frightening. We are all awaro that a person can be arrested merely on a hunch-a feeling-on the part of an individual police officer ... We have to think of the climate that would inevitably be created by the Bill. A man is taken into prison. Whet happens to his family? People will say "There is no smoke without fire. He has been away in the pokey hole for the last five days There must be somathing up. Let us go and smash his windows." (Tor Lit Terick, Labour MP, Birmingham Selly Oak).
*.. As in every colonial situation, repressive legislation is no substitute for policy. We have no policy... We are hopefully waiting for a Convention, waiting for dacisions to come out of it. Everyone knows our hopes will be proved illusory. I repeat, we have no policy.* Leo Abse, Labour MP, PontyThe proposed legislation represents precisely the kind of power exercised i the South African Government, and that power is one of the most detes. ad powers of the South African Government." (Frank Hooley. Labour MP, We need action not words