§ Mr. SPEAKERI have received notice of two questions, one by the hon. Member for Bridgeton (Mr. Maxton) and the other by the Leader of the Opposition, in reference to the disturbances in South London. According to the usual custom, I call upon the Leader of the Opposition.
§ Mr. LANSBURY(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can make any statement on the disturbances in South London yesterday evening, and how many persons were injured?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir John Gilmour)I only received notice of this question as I entered the House. I have received reports from the Commissioner of Police. The disturbances in question arose out of a demonstration estimated to consist of about 10,000 persons. The demonstration was arranged under the auspices of the National Unemployed Workers' Movement, a well-known Communist organisation, in support of a deputation to the London County Council. Having regard to the obstruction of traffic which was to be expected if this proposal was carried out, instructions were given by the Commissioner of Police that the various processions taking part were to be diverted before reaching St. George's Circus or the County Hall, and except in one instance this was effected by the police without trouble. An attempt was made by one contingent to force the police cordon and a portion of the crowd became disorderly and had to be dispersed.
Meanwhile, the demonstrators from all districts, in small groups, made their way independently by various routes to St. 148 George's Circus where, by 6.30 p.m., the crowd had reached such proportions that it was necessary to take steps to clear the thoroughfare. Some slight disorder occurred at this point, and one arrest was made. Demonstrators then made their way towards the County Hall, and considerable disorder occurred, stones, bricks and parts of iron railings being thrown at the police, who were compelled to make a number of arrests. The disorder was clearly premeditated, since in many cases those arrested were found to have stones, pieces of iron or other missiles in their possession. Over 40 persons in all have been arrested for wilful damage, larceny, assaulting and obstructing the police, etc. Several demonstrators and police officers were injured, but I am still waiting for detailed particulars.
The duty of preserving order and of preventing obstruction of the streets rests with the police. These duties can usually be carried out without the use of force; but the police would fail in their duty if they refrained from using force where this is necessary to deal with attempts to create obstruction and disorder. In fairness to the police, I should like to inform the House at this stage that, as the result of inquiries I have made, I have satisfied myself that, in spite of great provocation, the police behaved throughout with their usual admirable restraint and forbearance.
§ Mr. LANSBURYMay I ask the Prime Minister, in view of this statement, and in view of the serious situation that is continually arising, whether to-night he will—say at 9.30 or 10 o'clock—move to report Progress and allow at least 1½ hours for questions and answers on this subject? I am aware that we have our Motion of Censure down for early next week, but in the circumstances I think that the Government might give us one hour, or one hour and a-half, to discuss this question?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Ramsay MacDonald)So far as the Government are concerned, they are of opinion that a short time—I do not mean a meanly short time, but a comparatively short time—might be given to-day so that this matter can be explained from both points of view. It is for the good of the country, and I am sure it will be for 149 the advantage of the House, that the whole of the facts and circumstances should be made clear. I shall therefore be very glad indeed to accede to my right hon. Friend's request. Might I ask my right hon. Friend if he will, during the evening, make a definite arrangement through the usual channels?
§ Mr. LANSBURYYes, and I would like to thank the right hon. Gentleman.
§ Mr. BUCHANANMy hon. Friend the Member for Bridgeton (Mr. Maxton) gave notice last night to put a Private Notice Question on this subject. Quite apart from conversations which have taken place between leaders on either side, there are Rules of the House to be considered, and I ask you, Mr. Speaker, as the custodian of the Rules of the House, if you would accept a Motion for the Adjournment of the House on the ground that this is a matter of urgent and definite public importance. I say to you, Mr. Speaker, with all respect, that I think it is much better that this question should be dealt with in the ordinary way, rather than that Members of the House should make arrangements because they are privileged people, or that the customary requirements of the House should be set aside. Would it be in Order for me to hand in a Notice of Motion for the Adjournment of the House on the ground that this is a matter of urgent public importance?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member asks me whether I would allow hon. Members to move the Adjournment of the House on this question as a matter of definite and urgent public importance, under Standing Order 10. I would point out that had he done so in the first instance, this question would not, in my opinion, have come under that Rule at all, and I should not have been able to accede to his request. As events have turned out, it is obvious that this question can be discussed on another occasion, and the hon. Member will see for himself that that makes it unnecessary to move a Motion to debate the subject under Standing Order 10.
§ Mr. MAXTONI did not quite gather what the arrangement was. Do I understand that, after private conversations 150 between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, one hour will be granted this evening for a discussion of this very important matter? It seems to me that one hour is a very limited period in which to discuss this very important subject, and that there will be no opportunity for hon. Members to cast their votes. I would like to have a clear understanding of the bargain.
§ Mr. LANSBURYI have only just come into the House, and there has been no bargain made with anybody. The whole proceedings have taken place across the Floor of the House. I gave notice that I was going to raise this question. I was under the impression that, as we had on the Notice Paper a Motion of Censure on the Government, in all probability the Adjournment would not be granted, and you have ruled, Mr. Speaker, that that is so. For these reasons, I have asked that the Government should give one hour, or one and a-half hours, or whatever time we can get to-night in order to ventilate this question. I take it that hon. Gentlemen below the Gangway will, as usual, take their share of the time.
§ Mr. BUCHANANSmall thanks to you!
§ Mr. MAXTONAll that I am asking is the ordinary courtesy of the House. When the usual channels are consulted, they should be the usual channels of all parties in the House.