§ 24. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a procession of some 5,000 black shirts processed in military order through main London streets on Sunday, and that the traffic was held up for them to pass; whether this was done by the orders of the Home Office or on whose instructions; and whether, in the interests of traffic, this will not be allowed again?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI am informed by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that about 600 members of the British Union of Fascists took part in a procession through certain streets in the West End of London between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. last Sunday evening. The Commissioner was informed in advance of the proposed route, but, in view of the small number of persons taking part and since the traffic at that time on a Sunday evening is generally light, he decided that there was no reason to object to the proposed route. All processions cause a greater or less degree of dislocation of traffic, but in this case the inconvenience did not appear to be likely to be serious. As the House was informed in reply to a question on the 15th February last, the Government are anxious to maintain, to the utmost extent compatible with the general interest, the right of holding public processions provided they are orderly and well-behaved.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODThe number, of course, is a matter of estimate, but the fact is that I and the traffic in Trafalgar Square were held up for six and a-half minutes; and may I ask whether this is to continue, and why this particular brand of lunatics are allowed to take this advantage?