§ Mr. LANSBURY(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department by whose instructions the police were authorised to attempt to break up the demonstration marching from Wandsworth Prison on Sunday evening last at Battersea Rise; can be inform the House how many persons were injured, including members of the police 20 force, by the constabulary on that occasion; is he aware that many persons who witnessed the disturbance in Hyde Park on Tuesday, 30th March, were of opinion that that disturbance was caused by the provocative behaviour of the police; and will he inform the police authorities that it is not illegal for persons taking part in demonstrations to march back to their homes together when the demonstration is over?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir W. Joynson-Hicks)The police acted under their general authority to control the traffic, and on this occasion did so with great care and success until near Battersea Rise, when part of the procession became disorderly and spread across the road blocking the general traffic, which was fairly heavy at the time. The police then tried to reduce the procession to order, when the crowd began to shout "Up the rebels," "Come on, Reds," etc. No one was injured except one constable. In reply to the last part of the question, persons who desire to march through the streets of London must do so in an orderly manner.
§ Mr. LANSBURYIs the same treatment to be meted out to the workers marching through the streets, and the same liberty given them, as is given to medical students, university students, and others who parade the West End? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that two women were knocked down in that scrimmage on Sunday, that two men were knocked down, that there was no blocking of the traffic, that the whole of the disturbance took place on the other side of Battersea Rise, where there was no traffic blocking whatever taking place, and that the police authorities—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order, order ! "] Very well, I will ask another question later.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSIt is a little difficult to answer all those questions. I am not aware of any other injuries, and no injuries were reported to the police other than that to the one constable. With regard to the question of differentiation between medical students and others, there is no differentiation at all. The police take the same measures in regard to all processions.
§ Mr. LANSBURYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that these two women 21 were removed from the ground, from the roadway, having been knocked down, and is he aware that the police authorities put a cordon of police into the procession to march with it, and that that caused considerable disorder and disgust amongst the processionists?
§ Mr. J. JONESHas the right hon. Gentleman made special arrangements for the demonstration taking place next Saturday, when a lady who calls herself "General" Drummond is going to organise a demonstration against the miners, and will he see that they get the same kind of treatment as working-class processions get when they take advantage of the opportunity?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSYes, they will get exactly the same kind of treatment and will have to obey the same rules.
§ Mr. LANSBURYI beg to give notice that, either to-night or at the most convenient opportunity, I shall call attention to the facts connected with this matter.