§ MR. CAINE (Bradford, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to a report in The Daily Chronicle of 9th February, in which Mr. Shiel, the Magistrate of Westminster Police Court, bound over Mr. Charles Wilson, in his own recognizance of 40s., to keep the peace and he of good behaviour for three months, because he tried to make his way along the footwalk of Sloane Street; by what authority the Metropolitan Police stop the walking public from using the footpaths of thoroughfares in from of churches when weddings are being held, turning them into the roadway among the carriages; and if he will at once cause Mr. Wilson to be released from his recognizances?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. ASQUITH,) Fife, E.The Metropolitan Police are responsible under the Metropolitan Police Acts for keeping order in the thoroughfares, and it is the custom when a number of persons assemble to witness any public or private function that the constables on duty should give every facility to persons who wish to pass through the crowd. I am informed that the defendant in the case referred to refused the proffered assistance and insisted on attempting to push forcibly through the people on the pavement, though the police were ready to make 1360 way for him in another direction. Under the circumstances, I do not feel justified in interfering.
§ MR. ATHERLEY-JONES (Durham, N.W.)Is it not a fact that the police prevented this man passing along a public footway?
§ MR. ASQUITHAccording to my information, the answer I have given correctly states the facts.
§ MR. ATHERLEY-JONESInconsequence of the answer of the right hon. Gentleman, I shall call attention to this case at the earliest opportunity.