§ MR. LAFONE (Southwark, Bermondsey)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, on Monday evening last, 1st July, the entrance leading to the Board Room of the Bermondsey Vestry was forced by persons breaking through the door, and resisting the orders of the Vestry then sitting; and, whether the Chairman had previously communicated in writing with the Chief Commissioner of Police, who declined to send policemen to prevent the proceedings of the Vestry being interrupted?
§ MR. MATTHEWSThe Commissioner of Police informs me that the police were not called in on the 1st of July, and that he has no personal knowledge of the facts stated in the first paragraph. Two persons were charged by the Vestry with stealing, and were taken into custody by the police, and their case will be heard on the 9th inst. No previous 1581 communication was made on this occasion to the Commissioner, who, if he had received such a communication, would have taken the usual steps to prevent any breach of the peace.
§ MR. LAFONEDo I understand that if the police had been called upon they would have protected the entrance to the Vestry?
§ MR. MATTHEWSIt would be the duty of the police to prevent any breach of the peace; but the police have no authority to regulate the proceedings of private meetings.
§ MR. LAFONEThat was not exactly my question. This was a meeting held in a largo public hall, and I want to know if the police can be called upon to protect the entrance?
§ MR. MATTHEWSI am afraid that I must ask for notice of that specific question.