§ MR. CUNNINGHAME GRAHAM (Lanark, N.W.)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If his attention has been directed to the conduct of the police in Bermondsey on Saturday last, at the corner of Grange Road, in refusing to allow Mr. Twelch, one of the candidates for the Bermondsey Vestry, to address the ratepayers, after the other two candidates had spoken; and, if he will inquire into the circumstances of the case?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)I have made inquiry into this matter. The Inspector of Police gave evidence as stated. I am informed that the magistrates went fully into the evidence on both sides in the first two cases. Upon that evidence, which tended to explain the circumstances deposed to by the Inspector, these cases were dismissed. The Bench at the same time stated that the police had acted very properly in bringing them forward for inquiry. The other informations, which related to the same transactions, were not proceeded with.