§ 61. Mr. LANSBURYasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any instructions have been issued to the Metropolitan Police Force instructing them to attend all political meetings, whether held in halls or in the open air; and, if such instructions hive been issued, will he lay copies upon the Table?
§ Sir LEONARD LYLEIn view of the disgraceful proceedings of the Communists at the last Election—
§ Mr. SPEAKERI cannot allow supplementary questions containing general allegations.
§ 62. Mr. LANSBURYasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that Metropolitan Police officers attended a political meeting held in the London County Council school, Colombia Road, Bethnal Green, on Monday, 11th February, 1981 addressed by the hon. Members for North-East Bethnal Green and Bow and Bromley, and at the close of the speeches the police officers demanded the names and addresses of the speakers; and whether this action of the police was taken on his authority or in obedience to any instructions issued by his predecessor in office?
Mr. DAVIESAccording to the usual practice a constable was detailed to patrol in the vicinity of the school while the meeting was in progress. Police officers so employed report particulars of such meetings as a matter of ordinary duty. I am informed that when a speaker, who was unknown to the officer, was leaving the building, the constable asked him for his name and address with a view to including the information in his report. So far as I am aware, no instructions were issued by my predecessor in office on the subject.
§ Mr. LANSBURYWhat instructions are issued to the police as to the information they are to obtain when attending public meetings? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the uniformed police attended, not outside this meeting, but inside, and demanded the names and addresses of the speakers as they left the building?
§ Sir JAMES REMNANTIs it not the fact that where any disturbance is feared those responsible for a meeting have the right to apply to the police authorities to have somebody in attendance?
§ Mr. LANSBURYThat is not the point. May I ask the Under-Secretary whether he is aware that there was no question of the police being invited to preserve order. They attended of their own volition
§ Mr. SPEAKERI think we must hear the answer to some of the suppiementary questions.
§ Mr. PRINGLEOne at a time!
Mr. DAVIESI have been asked several supplementary questions. I think, in effect, they answer each other. [HON MEMBERS: "No."]
§ Mr. N. MACLEANWhat is your answer?
Mr. DAVIESReplying to the supplementary question of the hon. Member for Bow and Bromley (Mr. Lansbury), I am definitely informed that the duty of the police in connection with meetings is the ordinary duty of patrolling to be there in the event of anything transpiring which will break the peace.
§ Mr. PRINGLEArising out of the original answer, and in view of the statement that these constables had to report, can the hon. Gentleman say if there were no instructions, as obviously, in the absence of instructions, they would not require to report?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONCan the hon. Gentleman suggest any reason why any loyal and law-abiding subject should object to the presence of the police?
§ Mr. HAYESMay I ask the Under-Secretary whether it is not a fact that the police regulations distinctly lay down that police officers are not to enter a meeting held inside private premises, that any information that they may ascertain merely for the purpose of submitting a report can be obtained without entering the building for that purpose, and that there is no necessity for any officer entering a political meeting for the purpose of obtaining information?
Mr. DAVIESI think the original reply I gave meets that point. I can add nothing at all to the replies I have given.
§ Mr. LANSBURYThe allegation was quite definite. The police officer—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech!"]—Is the Under-Secretary aware that the police officers attended inside the meeting and as the speakers left demanded their names and also demanded their addresses? I want to know by what authority they did so?
§ Mr. SPEAKERFurther questions on this matter had better be put on the Paper.
§ Mr. LANSBURYWhat I have done was to—[interruption.] I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment to-night, or on Tuesday next.