§ MR. NEATEsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Who were the persons upon whom notice was served that they would be proceeded against as trespassers or otherwise if they held a meeting in Hyde Park; what will be the nature of such proceedings; and whether instructions have been given to the Law Officers to institute, and that without delay, such proceedings against the persons served with such notices? He also wished to ask, whether it is intended to include Trafalgar Square among the places where the meeting should not be held?
§ MR. WALPOLEIn answering this Question, Sir, I must correct an erroneous 258 impression under which the hon. Gentleman seems to be labouring. The notice which was served was that signed and issued by myself. The persons upon whom it was served on the 1st of May were—Mr. Beales, Colonel Dickson, Messrs. Bradlaugh, Mantle, Merriman, Howell, and on the 6th of May the notice was served on Messrs. Lucraft, Odger, Cremer, Connolly, Perfitt, Langley, Cooper, Osborn, Owen, and Finter. In answer to the second portion of his Question, I have to state that instructions have been given to the Law Officers of the Crown to consider the matter, and the whole subject is under their consideration at this moment. It would therefore ill become me to say more until the Law Officers have determined what the exact nature of the proceedings on the part of the Crown shall be.
§ MR. NEATEsaid, he would beg to ask, whether the right hon. Gentleman proposes to go on with his Bill before he has ascertained the present state of the law upon the subject?
§ MR. WALPOLEThe Bill now before the House does not depend upon the Report of the Law Officers; as to whether it will be proceeded with to-night depends upon the course of business.