§ MR. CONYBEARE (Cornwall, Camborne)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether it is the fact that, on the occasion of a Vestry meeting being held in the parish of St. Giles-in-the-Fields on the morning of May 31, a body of police, under the control of an Inspector and sergeant, were concealed and kept in reserve in the vaults under the parish church of St. Giles-in-the-Fields; and, if so, for what purpose, and by whose orders or authority, were they so placed?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that on the day in question application was made by the Vestry clerk for the services of a few police to preserve order in the event of an anticipated disturbance taking place. An Inspector, a sergeant, and six constables were accordingly, in accordance with usual practice, ordered by the Superintendent to be in readiness in the immediate vicinity of the church and Vestry Hall to prevent any breach of the peace. At the invitation of one of the officials of the Vestry the Inspector permitted his party to sit down in the vault. Their services were not called for.
§ MR. CONYBEAREinquired, whether it was necessary to call in the aid of police at the Vestry meetings in London?
§ MR. MATTHEWSI cannot speak with certainty as to Vestry meetings; but there is nothing uncommon in the attendance of police at a large gathering of any kind.
§ MR. CONYBEAREfurther desired to know whether they would be sent to meetings of Boards of Guardians to suppress them as in Ireland?
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!