HC Deb 07 December 1925 vol 189 cc37-8
73. Mr. R. MORRISON

asked the Home Secretary whether he has any information as to the identity of the person or persons who damaged the Hudson Memorial in Hyde Park with green paint; and, in view of the danger of further wilful damage being done to this public property, whether he will issue a warning to those who are inciting the public against this memorial?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

The police have no information as to those who damaged the Hudson Memorial. Any persons doing wilful damage to property in Hyde Park are subject to the ordinary law, and no special warning of the nature suggested seems necessary.

Mr. MORRISON

Has the hon. Member seen the letter which appeared in the "Morning Post" ten days ago, suggesting that as green paint has been insufficient, someone ought to put a charge of dynamite under the memorial? Does the hon. Member's Department intend to institute proceedings against this newspaper for inciting the public to damage public property?

Sir W. DAVISON

Will the hon. Member inform the House why a large palisading has been erected in front of this memorial, preventing the people from walking on the grass in front of it, let alone doing what the hon. Member suggests?

Mr. SNELL

Have the Government any knowledge of those who are inciting the public against this memorial?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

I believe that the whole of this agitation will now die down if only hon. Members will let this matter rest.

Mr. STEPHEN

Will the hon. Member employ the Special Investigation Department or the Criminal Investigation Department to round up the people who are responsible, and employ them usefully in that direction, instead of looking after inoffensive politicians?

Mr. BUCHANAN

Is the hon. Member's Department going to apply the same law to the rich that they have applied to the poor? Is any action going to be taken, first, against the "Morning Post" for publishing this letter, and, secondly, against those who have been assisting in the agitation, and can he say whether his Department will cease being a class Department and will put the law into effect without bias?

Forward to