§ 35. Mr. MANDERasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the action of the Chingford police in the case of Miss Mathieson's loud speaker, he will state what instructions are given by his Department regarding the use of a loud-speaker van in the streets; whether the police have instructions to proceed against the users of such vans; and whether he is aware that such loud-speaker vans have been used by a parliamentary candidate in the streets of Chingford in 1931?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE, for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir John Gilmour)I have no power to issue instructions in this matter; it is a question in each case whether the relevant statutory or by-law provisions are infringed; and it is the duty of the police to take action if any, infringement is observed. They have no record of the use of loud-speaker vans for election purposes at Chingford in 1931.
§ Mr. MANDERCan the right hon. Gentleman say why an attempt was made in this case to prevent Miss Mathieson from using a loud speaker? What was the reason in this case?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI answered a question which the hon. Member put to me on a previous occasion, in which I made it clear that the police drew the attention of the ladies in question to what they considered might be a. breach of the by-laws, if no more than that.
§ Mr. GEORGE GRIFFITHSIs it possible for any lady to have a loud speaker?