§ 46. Mr. ANSTRUTHER-GRAYasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he intends to take to prevent disorder arising out of the proposed Fascist meeting at the White City on the Sunday before August bank holiday?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir John Gilmour)I understand that the arrangements for the proposed meeting have been cancelled.
§ Mr. THORNEHas the Home Secretary seen the comments that were made by a stipendiary magistrate about these Fascists?
§ Sir J. GILMOURNo, Sir. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will send me particulars?
§ Mr. THORNEAs a matter of fact, I have sent them to the right hon. Gentleman.
§ 47. Mr. THORNEasked the Home Secretary whether he has received a 781 report from the Chief Constable of Portsmouth in connection with the parade of several hundreds of Blackshirts that marched through the streets of Portsmouth, with the assistance of the police, on Wednesday night to celebrate the arrival of the two German cruisers on Wednesday afternoon; whether he has any information in connection with the meeting that was held on Wednesday night; and if any persons were arrested or injured?
§ Sir J. GILMOURYes, Sir; I have received a report from the Chief Constable of Portsmouth who informs me that a Fascist meeting was held at the Guildhall, Portsmouth, on the evening of the 11th instant, Sir Oswald Mosley being the principal speaker. The police have no knowledge that the meeting had any connection with the visit of the German cruisers. At the conclusion of the meeting about 300 Fascists in uniform marched in formation back to their local headquarters. They had no special assistance from the police, the route being policed as it is for other processions. There was no occasion to make any arrests. One man was slightly injured while walking along the pavement, receiving a superficial wound on the side of the head. There was no other incident worthy of note.