§ 44. Mr. LANSBURYasked the Home Secretary by whose authority the officials connected with the Metropolitan police prohibited a demonstration of the unemployed which was organised to take place on Sunday, 3rd July; and will he state whether it is now the policy of his Department to forbid all such demonstrations in London?
§ Captain HACKINGThe demonstration referred to was prohibited by the Commissioner of Police in accordance with the authorisation of my right hon. Friend given under the Emergency Regulations. The powers thus given are not exercised unnecessarily.
§ Mr. LANSBURYMay I ask whether it is the policy of the Department to prohibit all public meetings in London under the Emergency Powers Regulations?
§ Captain HACKINGNo, Sir. It is quite clearly laid down in Regulation 22 that, where there appears to be reason to apprehend that the assembly of any persons for the purpose of holding any meeting or procession may conduce to a breach of the peace, that then only would the meeting be prohibited.
§ Mr. LANSBURYMay I ask whether the hon. and gallant Member is aware that there have been hundreds of marches to Trafalgar Square during the last year or two and no disturbance of any kind; and can he give the House any evidence on which either the police or the Home Secretary had reason to fear there would be a disturbance on this occasion?
§ Captain HACKINGI could give the hon. Member much evidence if he would give me notice, but I cannot now give him evidence as to this particular case.
§ Sir F. MEYERIs it not the fact that all these marches and demonstrations are a nuisance to 99 per cent. of the population?