MR. KEIR-HARDIE (West Ham, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that on Sunday evening last, whilst a small and orderly meeting, for which leave had been obtained, was being held under the auspices of the Kentish Town branch of the Social Democratic Federation, the speaker, Mr. John Yallop, was arrested by the police, and conveyed to the district police station; whether the place is a recognized meeting place for religious and other bodies; and whether he will instruct the police to give the Social Democrats the same freedom in respect to meetings on 375 this place as is given to religious bodies?
§ MR. R. G. WEBSTER (St. Pancras, E.)This question affects my constituency, but I confess I do not understand it. I want to ask the Home Secretary whether this is a recognized meeting place for religious and other bodies?
§ MR. ASQUITHI do not, I confess, exactly understand the hon. Member's question. With regard to the question on the Paper, I am informed that the Police Reports show that on Sunday evening, the 8th instant, a meeting was held at Heath Street Hampstead, and was addressed by Mr. Yallop. Complaint was made to a police-constable of annoyance caused, and there was actual obstruction to foot passengers. This was pointed out by the police-constable to Mr. Yallop, who, however, persisted in speaking, and ultimately the police-constable asked Mr. Yallop to accompany him to the police-station to see the Inspector. While on the way to the station the police-constable distinctly told Mr. Yallop that he was not in custody. Small meetings which do not cause actual obstruction are, I am informed, occasionally held at this particular place. It is a well-understood rule, and one to which the police are instructed to conform, that strict impartiality is to be shown in dealing with meetings, religious or otherwise.