§ MR. THORNE (West Ham, S)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to the violence of the police against the people in Whitehall on 15th July, after they were leaving the demonstration that was held in Trafalgar Square to protest against the Government entering into any agreement with the Russian Government; if he is aware that the police on the day in question broke a number of the people's umbrellas, banner poles, tore some banners up which were being carried by the people, without warning or requesting the people to go away; if he is aware that a number of persons were beaten by constables with bamboo canes that had been broken up, and which had been used as banner poles; and whether he intends to take any action in the matter.
§ MR. GLADSTONEI am informed that the intervention of the police on the occasion in question became necessary in consequence of an attempt being made to hold a meeting in Whitehall after the meeting in Trafalgar Square was concluded. The action taken by the police 773 to stop the obstruction which was caused to the traffic on the road and footways was resisted and some disorder ensued, but no more force than was necessary was used by the police to suppress it. The matter has already been under investigation at the Bow Street Police Court, where the solicitor for the defendants, Kaplinski and Novell, stated that he cast no reflection upon the way in which Inspector Jarvis, who was in charge of the police, carried out his duties. On the information in my possession and after full consideration I find no ground for intervention.