Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Miners’ Strike 1984-85

Thursday 1 October 2020 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • There are no plans to establish an independent inquiry into the policing of the miners' strike in 1984-85 in England and Wales.
  • The focus should be on ensuring that the current policing system is the best it can be, given significant changes since 1984-85.
  • All related files have been transferred to the National Archives.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ian Lavery Lab Blyth and Ashington
Policing & Resources
Context

Discussions around establishing a commission on the policing of the 1984-85 miners' strike in England and Wales.

Question

What discussions has he had with the Home Secretary on the establishment of a commission on the policing of the 1984-85 miners' strike?

Answer from Chloe Smith

There are no plans to establish an independent inquiry into the policing of the miners' strike in 1984-85 in England and Wales.

Answered
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Q2 Ian Lavery Lab Blyth and Ashington
Policing & Resources Justice & Courts
Context

More than 11,000 UK miners were arrested during the dispute of 1984-85. Many faced trials, injuries, and blacklisting, with some dying with an unjust criminal record. An independent review in Scotland led to pardons for miners convicted there.

Question

Can the Minister say if the miners in the UK can expect a pardon from the Government? Does he acknowledge that a full inquiry into the policing of the miners' strike is the only means of justice for those miners who were the backbone of this nation?

Answer from Chloe Smith

There are no plans to establish an independent inquiry into the policing of the miners' strike in 1984-85 in England and Wales. The focus should be on ensuring that the current policing system is the best it can be, given significant changes since 1984-85. All related files have been transferred to the National Archives for public review.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not address the specific request about pardons or acknowledge the need for an inquiry.

How: Focus On Ensuring Current Policing System Is Best, Referencing Significant Changes Since 1984-85

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