HC Deb 25 July 1929 vol 230 cc1469-70
47. Lieut.-Colonel Sir GODFREY DALRYMPLE-WHITE

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been drawn to the increasing denial of the right of free speech at election meetings in many areas, and notably at the present by-election at Preston; whether he will consider if the existing law is inadequate to prevent such disturbances; and, if not, whether he will consider the introduction of further legislation to secure a fan-hearing at such meetings?

Mr. CLYNES

As was stated in reply to a similar question by the hon. Member for Penrith and Cockermouth (Mr. Dixey) on the 23rd instant, I am not aware of any need for strengthening the law in this particular respect.

Sir G. DALRYMPLE-WHITE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the reply referred to was a direct negative and entirely ignored the fact that this practice at the recent General Election reached an unprecedented scale; further, with regard to the fact that one of the candidates at the Preston by-election is one of the Law Officers of the Crown, will the right hon. Gentleman consult him after the election, as he has now had an opportunity of seeing this rowdyism in practice?

Mr. HOLFORD KNIGHT

Has my right hon. Friend been advised that punishment for these deplorable incidents is already fully provided for by the Public Meetings Act, 1908; and are Ministers, in face of similar difficulties, receiving any advice from the Law Officers?

Mr. CLYNES

Exactly. That is why I said that no strengthening of the law was necessary.

Mr. ERNEST BROWN

How is it possible to deal with cases of this kind when you get 600 or 700 people in a packed schoolroom, where injury must come to innocent people if there is any interference by the police?

Mr. CLYNES

That is precisely why I hold the view that we must look to other means for securing the peaceful conduct of our meetings than merely to a strengthening of the law.

Mr. DIXEY

In view of the importance that people attach to this by-election, particularly having regard to the circumstances in this case, will the Government try to secure for the Conservative and other candidates a fair chance?