§ 67. Mr. WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any information as to the disturbances in St. Stephen's Hall on Thursday evening last and, in particular, whether Miss Margaret Macmillan was thrown down by the police; and, if so, why this was done?
§ Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITHThe police have no knowledge of any woman having been thrown down in St. Stephen's Hall. Mrs. Pethick Lawrence with several other ladies had been permitted to accompany Sir Edward Busk to St. Stephen's Hall as a deputation, and while there she began to make a speech. She was requested to refrain and on refusal was removed from the hall. Owing to the resistance offered some measure of force had to be used.
§ Mr. KINGHave the persons who were convicted as a result of this disturbance been let out already by order of the Home Secretary?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise out of the question.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODHas any report been made to the Home Office as to the injuries to Miss Margaret Macmillan and Mrs. Lawrence?
§ Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITHThe question was asked with regard to whether anybody had been thrown down in St. Stephen's Hall, but the police say they have no information of that kind.
§ Mr. MORRELLIs it not a fact that this happened at the top of Westminster Hall, which is below St. Stephen's Hall?
§ Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITHI understand that this occurrence, so far as the police know, did not occur anywhere.