§ 10. Mr. GROVESasked the Home Secretary if he is aware that it is the practice of the police in the Metropolitan area to inform chairmen of public meetings held in the open that the proceedings must terminate at 10 o'clock p.m.; whether these instructions are issued with his approval; and, if so, on what grounds?
Mr. STANLEYI am informed by the Commissioner of Police that there is no general practice to the effect mentioned and no directions on the subject have been issued to the police. In a few places where chairmen of meetings are requested or required to terminate meetings at 10 p.m., that course is taken in the interests of adjoining residents or as a precaution against disorder.
§ Mr. GROVESMay I take it that the police are not instructed and have no authority to terminate an open-air meeting at 10 p.m.?
Mr. STANLEYNo, Sir, that is not the effect of the reply at all. No general instructions have been issued that a meet- 1243 ing shall be closed at 10 p.m., but the police have discretion as to whether it is advisable.
§ Mr. GROVESIs it within the discretion of the police, provided there is no obstruction, undue noise or disorder, to close a meeting at 10 p.m.?
Mr. STANLEYIt would depend on whether it is in the interests of the adjoining residents or necessary as a precaution against disorder that a meeting should be closed at 10 p.m.
§ Mr. GROVESIf there were noise and disturbance, such as would be expected from an ordinary meeting, even a religious meeting, would the police close it?