HC Deb 15 July 1924 vol 176 cc185-6
22. Sir GRATTAN DOYLE (on behalf of

asked the Secretary for Scotland who was responsible for giving orders to the local police at Carfin, Lanarkshire, to invoke Section 26 of the Catholic Relief Act of 1829 in order to interfere with the procession on 22nd June, 1924?

Mr. ADAMSON

I understand that the attention of the organisers of the procession was drawn to the provisions of Section 26 of the Act of 1829 by the police in the course of their duty and without instruction or order from any outside authority. In consequence of this intimation the procession was not proceeded with on the public road, but was held in private grounds.

Mr. HOPE

How long is it since any Government has dug this ancient weapon out of its armoury?

Mr. FERGUSON

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the procession carrying the Host is against the law, and that they ought to prosecute them for carrying the Host through the streets?

Mr. ADAMSON

In reply to the right hon. Member for Central Sheffield (Mr. Hope), the Government have no responsibility for this at all, and, as a matter of fact, I did not know of it till the whole matter was over. With regard to the other point raised in the supplementary question, I may say that I hope this question will be discussed to-morrow night on the Motion for the Adjournment, and we need not now discuss it by question and answer.

Mr. FERGUSON

Is it against the law or is it not? I want the right hon. Gentleman to answer.

Mr. LAMB

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if he is aware that the police definitely stated that they had orders from a higher source, and will he say from what source those orders were received?

Mr. ADAMSON

The police, as I have already stated, had no orders from a higher source.

Mr. MAXTON

In the original answer given by the right hon. Gentleman to the House, he told us that it was due to the danger of obstruction, etc. Do I understand that the Act of 1829 dealt with questions of obstruction?

Mr. ADAMSON

It is true that in the original answer I pointed out that the police took specific objection, on ground of traffic last year. They discussed that with the authorities involved, and when it was pointed out to the police that they intended to proceed with the procession this year, the organisers received the intimation to which I called attention to-day.

Sir G. DOYLE

Is it the intention of the Government to introduce legislation to repeal these obsolete laws?

Mr. CLYNES

That is a question that requires notice.