Programme presented by Tony Francis. Police stop and search powers are being discussed by Parliament. Police in Birmingham already have such powers due to a hundred year old local act. Jon Lander reports from Birmingham on the issue. We see a reconstruction of a police stop and search. Lander talks to Sir Philip Knights, West Midlands Chief Constable who is in favour of the powers.
Back in the studio Lander talks to Peter Snape MP (Labour, West Bromwich East) who is against the stop and search bill and says that it will put young people and black people at risk. Conservative MP Eldon Griffiths is also interviewed and he is in favour. The next item is about Labour Militant. The party’s national executive is considering plans to expel leading members of the left wing group from the party. Jon Lander profiles on film the Worcester councillor Anne Davis who is on the Labour National Executive and anti-Militant. We see Davis in a school, walking in London with husband and Stechford Labour MP Terry Davis and we see views of Bromsgrove Labour club. Anne Davis is interviewed.
Next on film Len Tingle follows up an earlier Central Lobby report about Midlands firms who were removing factory roofs to avoid paying rates on empty buildings. Tingle reports from outside a Wolverhampton factory built six years ago but never used. This too has had its roof removed. Interview with the owner’s agent Richard Bulley. Back in the studio Tony Francis talks to John Heddle MP (Conservative Lichfield and Tamworth) and John Bird, Labour leader of Wolverhampton Town Council about the issue. Next Reg Harcourt rounds up the latest Westminster news which includes talk of a row between Bill Rodgers (SDP) and Roy Hattersley (Labour) after Rodgers made a controversial speech in Birmingham. Finally in the studio Tony Francis interviews the Chairman of Wolverhampton Wanderers football club, Derek Dougan. We see archive of Dougan scoring for Wolves (ITV Sport) and library pictures of Dougan leading a consortium which took over an ailing Wolves in 1982. During his interview Dougan announces that he is planning to stand for Parliament at the next General Election.
Graphics: Jim Chalmers
Film Editor: Ric O'Connor
Political Editor: Reg Harcourt
Executive Producer: Terry Johnston
Editor: Mike Warman
Director: Rob Harding
Central Television production number 2413/83.
The item about companies avoiding paying rates on empty buildings by removing the roofs is a follow up to a similar item broadcast on Central Lobby Programme 1 tx 23 September 1982.