HC Deb 31 March 1927 vol 204 cc1399-400
18. Mr. EVERARD

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the increasing practice of organised gangs of interrupters preventing the expression of views by candidates and ether speakers at Parliamentary elections; and whether he will, in the interests of democratic government, ask this House for increased powers to deal with this matter?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

My attention has been called to the matter; but I am not at present in a position to make any proposals to the House.

Mr. EVERARD

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this is a very onesided thing, and that it always happens when anti-Socialist speakers are speaking?

Mr. ERNEST BROWN

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the only argument which will appeal to these deluded Marxists is that of a good hammering from the supporters of the other side?

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Is it not a fact that precisely the same difficulty induced the House of Commons in 1906 to pass Lord Robert Cecil's Bill, which makes these interruptions illegal at the present time, and that that Act has never been put into operation simply because politicians will not use it?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I know the difficulty in these cases, and I was much impressed by the speech the other night of the right hon. Member for Carnarvon Boroughs (Mr. Lloyd George). If I could see my way to do anything which would prevent the breaking-up of meetings on either side, I would do it. I am strongly in favour of the right of free speech, but I am also impressed with the suggestion of the hon. Member for Leith (Mr. E. Brown).

Sir HARRY BRITTAIN

Has my right hon. Friend ever heard of a Labour meeting being broken up by Conservatives?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I did not say by Conservatives, but there are other parties who might do it.

Major-General Sir ALFRED KNOX

May I ask whether this is a continuation of the Socialist policy, as evidenced by the General Strike?

Sir JAMES REMNANT

In the event of the opposing side taking it into their own hands to settle their differences, would my right hon. Friend be prepared to let the police stand on one side?