§ 48. Colonel DAYasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the total number of meetings banned by chief officers of the police under the powers vested in them by the Emergency Powers Act in England, Wales and Scotland respectively to the last convenient date?
§ Captain HACKINGDuring the period 1st May to 19th October my right hon. Friend issued authorities for the prohibition of meetings or processions on 21 1848 occasions in England and one in Wales. On the 19th October he gave a general authority to Chief Constables, and under that authority 40 meetings have been prohibited in England and 23 in Wales up to and including Sunday, the 14th instant. Any question as to action under Regulation 22 in Scotland should be addressed to the Secretary of State for Scotland.
§ Colonel DAYCan the hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether application has to be made to the Home Secretary for the banning of these meetings by Chief Constables?
§ Captain HACKINGNo. As I said in my answer, the Home Secretary has authorised Chief Constables in the country that they can issue a ban without any special authority from him.
Mr. BECKETTHave all the meetings that have been banned been meetings held by one side in the dispute, or have meetings by the Economic League and other meetings of that kind calculated to produce disorder also been banned?
§ Captain HACKINGI must have notice of that question.