§ 57. Mr. T. SMITH (for Mr. THORNE)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if any report has been received by him from the police of New-castle-on-Tyne in connection with a Fascist meeting that was recently held in that city; if he can state the number of people injured and taken to the Newcastle infirmary; if he is aware that they marched through the streets in military formation; and whether he has any information as to the extent of these practices?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir John Gilmour)Yes, Sir : I have obtained a report from the Chief Constable of Newcastle-upon-Tyne regarding the Fascist meeting held in that City on 29th April last. I am informed that there was some disorder which the police attribute to insulting language used by some of the Fascist speakers towards the crowd. So far as the police are aware, only two persons were injured, one a woman who was knocked down in the general melee 740 and was rescued by the police and the other a Fascist who was badly cut on the lip and was taken by the police to the hospital where he received treatment. I understand that it is a common practice of the Fascists to march from their meetings in formation.
§ Mr. DENVILLEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Newcastle police are as efficient as any police force in the country and are quite capable of attending to any breach of the peace when occasion arises?