§ 26. Earl WINTERTONasked the Home Secretary whether he will instruct the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police to station a sufficient force of police at or in the vicinity of political meetings held in connection with the Peckham by-election to prevent breaches of the peace occurring?
Sir J. SIIVIONThe Commissioner of Police informs me that the usual police precautions have been taken in connection with this by-election. No serious disorder has been reported to the police and no requests have been received for additional protection.
§ Earl WINTERTONIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware of an incident in which apparently serious assaults were committed by one member of the audience upon another, and that the police had to be telephoned for, indicating that there were not sufficient police in the vicinity
§ Sir J. SIMONI have made inquiries and I have given the House the answer which I have received, but I will gladly inquire about this further matter.
§ Mr. SHINWELLIs not all this talk about political rowdyism at elections intended to stir up political prejudice?
§ Sir J. SIMONPerhaps various Members of the House have means of knowing whether that is so or not.
§ Mr. M. BEAUMONTIs not this exactly on a par with the talk about political rowdyism at Fascist meetings?
§ Mr. PETHERICKWould it not be a good plan that hon. Members opposite should be enrolled as special constables?