§ 60. Mr. AMMONasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the arrest of Mr. W. P. Rea in connection with a constitutional meeting of the unemployed at Peckham on 24th June; will he have inquiries made as to in what manner any breach of the law or regulations was committed by Mr. Rea's action; and will he define the regulations as regards open-air public meetings?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSRea's offence was obstructing the traffic on a public highway. He did this deliberately, after having been warned that the place ho had chosen for calling a meeting was unsuitable for the purpose. The law on the subject is quite simple; no one is permitted to obstruct a highway for the purpose of a public meeting.