HC Deb 10 July 1893 vol 14 cc1151-2
MR. A. THOMAS (Glamorgan, E.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the fact that two public meetings announced to take place at Pontypridd on Saturday last were prohibited by the police authorities; whether he is aware of the fact that public meetings have been frequently held in both places in which it was proposed to hold them on Saturday last; and whether any instructions have been recently issued with regard to the holding of public meetings in open spaces?

MR. ASQUITH

I understand that the two public meetings referred to by my hon. Friend were prohibited by the Police Authorities on the ground that the narrow streets of Pontypridd are always overcrowded on Saturday evenings, and that there was reason to fear that if they were held they might lead to a breach of the peace. With regard to the second paragraph, I am not sufficiently informed as to the local circumstances to give an answer. The answer to the third paragraph is in the negative. The responsibility in these matters rests with the Local and not with the Central Authority.