§ MR. CUNNINGHAME GRAHAM (Lanark, N. W.)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether, without previous intimation or formality, an Inspector of Police, in London, is allowed to disperse a Salvationist or Socialist meeting?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. STUART-WORTLEY) (Sheffield, Hallam)(who replied) said: An Inspector of Police has the same powers with respect to Salvation or Socialist meetings that he has with respect to any other meetings that are likely to produce obstruction or a breach of the peace, or which are held for an unlawful purpose. It would depend upon the circumstances of each case whether any, and what, previous intimation to disperse should be given by the police officer.
§ MR. CUNNINGHAME GRAHAMasked, whether any breach of the peace, or obstruction of traffic, was caused in recent instances where Inspectors interfered; and whether a man, by becoming a Salvationist or a Socialist, forfeited his right as a British citizen to the right of free speech, and the holding of public meetings?
§ MR. STUART-WORTLEYreplied that the question whether or not there was obstruction must become the subject of inquiry before a magistrate with regard to a criminal charge arising out of the proceedings.
§ MR. JAMES STUART (Shoreditch, Hoxton)asked, whether the hon. and learned Gentleman would lay on the Table of the House the instructions under which the police acted in dealing with meetings in open spaces in London?
§ MR. STUART-WORTLEYasked for notice of the Question.
§ MR. CUNNINGHAME GRAHAMI beg to say that, the answer being entirely unsatisfactory, I will repeat the Question to-morrow.