§ MR. SLOANTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether' his attention has been called to an attack made on Mr. John Kensit, and others, at Consett, on the 27th ultimo; can he say if any arrests were made; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent such occurrences in the future.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Akers-Douglas.) My attention was called to the matter by the Question of the hon. Member, and I have obtained a report from the chief constable of the county. He reports that some of Mr. Kensit's friends (not Mr. Kensit himself) attempted to hold a meeting in a public thoroughfare at Consett on the 27th 198 ultimo, but that, owing to the hostile attitude of the crowd, the preachers left under the protection of the police. One of the party received a kick on his leg, and the police ascertained and told him the name of his assailant. The preacher sail that he should have to report the matter to his headquarters, and consequently no arrest was made. The police who are responsible for the maintenance of order appear to have carried out their duties in a satisfactory manner, and no action on my part appears to be called for.