§ 17. Mr. THURTLEasked the Home Secretary if, in view of the degree of latitude which is allowed to students to inconvenience the general public by periodic outbursts called rags, as was evidenced by what took place in Gower Street on Thursday last, he will instruct the police to maintain the same tolerant attitude to similar exhibitions of youthful exuberance on the part of workers in London?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSOutbursts or rags are of diverse characters, and it is the practice of the police to be tolerant when tolerance is in place and I do not think any special instructions are required.
§ Mr. THURTLEMay we take it from the Home Secretary's reply that the same indulgence which is extended to medical students will be extended to the proletariat?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSIt depends entirely on how the hon. Member behaves.
§ Mr. HAYESCan the right hon. Gentleman say how many members of the general public and the police were assaulted in connection with this recent rag?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI have had no report, but if the hon. Member likes to put a question down, I will, of course, get the information for him.
§ Mr. MACLEANCan the right hon. Gentleman say how many police were required here, mounted and on foot, for the regulation of the traffic?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSIt must be obvious that if the hon. Member wants detailed figures, he must put a question down.