§ Mr. LANSBURY(by Private Notice) asked the Home Secretary whether he has any statement to make concerning the 1443 demonstration held in Trafalgar Square yesterday; the number of arrests, if any, that were made; the number of persons and police officers injured; whether he is now able to give to the House the report of the Commissioner of Police concerning the disturbances in Hyde Park on Thursday last, and whether the authorities have obtained any further information as to the persons responsible for the van containing sticks with iron prongs, which was found inside the park during the demonstration?
§ Sir J. GILMOURAs part of the demonstrations organised in connection with the visit of unemployed marchers to London, a meeting was held in Trafalgar Square yesterday, for the purpose of collecting funds. Contingents assembled in various parts of London and marched to Trafalgar Square, arriving between 2 and 3 p.m. About 8,000 persons in all were present. They included a large number of spectators who, by their mere presence, added considerably to the difficulties of the police, in spite of appeals made by the Commissioner asking the public to keep away from demonstrations of this character.
In view of information which has reached the Commissioner, it was thought advisable to search the contingent which assembled at Brixton. It numbered about 100, and, as a result of the search, it was found that three persons were in possession of weapons consisting of a cane with a lead ball on the end, a stone tied up in a handkerchief, and a piece of lead encased in rubber at each end. These men were arrested and charged. Another person was found to have stones in his pocket. One member of another contingent, a young man of about 17 or 18, was found in the possession of stones. He also was arrested and charged.
During the meeting in Trafalgar Square, at about 3.15 p.m., a rush was made towards the Admiralty Arch by a section of the crowd, and it was found necessary to close the gates. Shortly afterwards an attempt was made to rush down Whitehall; but the rush was checked by a double cordon of police which was promptly drawn across the road. Apart from these minor incidents, the meeting, which terminated at 4.30 p.m., passed off without disorder.
While the contingents were marching away, a slight disturbance occurred in 1444 Northumberland Avenue, where a shop window was broken, believed by a stone, shortly after one of the contingents had passed. One of the crowd attempted to kick a constable who was examining a man whom he saw on the ground. Some disorder followed, and it was necessary for the police to draw their truncheons to restore order. The constable's assailant was arrested and charged. Shortly afterwards there was a further disturbance at Great Scotland Yard, and it was necessary to use mounted police to clear the streets. The total number of persons arrested was five. One constable and three members of the public, all men, were slightly injured.
As regards the second part of the question, I have received full reports from the Commissioner of Police, but I do not think that there is much that I can usefully add to the statement which I made on Friday last. The total number of persons arrested was 14, of whom five have been dealt with by the Courts. On charges of assaulting the police, one man was sentenced to six months' imprisonment and another to three months' imprisonment. On charges of obstructing the police, two persons were fined and one was discharged. In the remaining nine cases a remand was ordered. Of the two police officers who were seriously injured, one has now been discharged from hospital, but I regret to say that Chief Inspector Oger's condition is still serious. As regards the lorry, which on being searched was found to contain sticks, some with nails protruding through them, further inquiries are being made, but I am not at present in a position to make any statement.