81. Mr. GALLAGHERasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that, following a peace meeting, on Wednesday, 1st April, at Paddington Baths, two Blackshirts stood at tae hall door selling Fascist papers; that they shouted as the audience came out; that they obstructed the passage to the footpath and thrust their papers in the faces of those who were emerging; and that two policemen stood a few feet behind them, while several other policemen were in a garage across the street; and what the purpose of this joint demonstration of police and Fascists was?
§ Mr. LLOYDInformation had been received by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the meeting referred to was in progress at the Paddington Baths and, as a precautionary measure, one police sergeant and four police constables were sent to the vicinity of the 2425 baths to deal with any possible incident which might occur. Other police were kept in reserve in a garage entrance near the baths so as to be readily available if required. About 10.30 p.m., when the meeting terminated, six Fascists were seen outside the hall, some with newspapers which they attempted to sell to the people leaving the meeting. Some of these persons showed resentment at the presence of the Fascists, who were advised by the police to leave the vicinity to avoid any possible disturbance. This request was complied with immediately, and there was no incident of any kind.
§ Mr. GALLACHERIs the hon. Gentleman aware that when a Member of Parliament approached the policemen and drew their attention to the obvious provocation, he was treated very offensively and threateningly by the police, and can he say whether if the Member had intimated to the police that he was a Member of Parliament he would have received different treatment?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat appears to be a hypothetical question.
§ Mr. STEPHENCan the Minister inform us why the Commissioner of Police did not take steps to prevent the Fascists selling their newspapers at that meeting, in view of the fact that he prevented the selling of Socialist literature at Mosley's meeting at the Albert Hall?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat has nothing to do with this question.
§ Mr. STEPHENOn a point of Order. Am I not entitled to an answer? I am submitting to you that my question is fair because it alleges that there has been discrimination by the police.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe original question related to something which took place at Paddington Baths, but the hon. Member's question appears to relate to some other place.
§ Mr. STEPHENI am asking whether the Minister can explain why there was discrimination between the people holding this meeting and the people holding another meeting.
§ Mr. LLOYDAll these cases must be judged according to the circumstances. The duty of the police in these matters 2426 is to avoid a breach of the peace, and their action on this occasion seems to me to show that they were very much alive to their duty.
§ Mr. GALLACHERIs it not the case that Fascists were standing right in the doorway of the hall blocking the emergence of the audience and shoving their papers in front of their noses and that two policemen were standing behind the Fascists protecting them while they were carrying on the provocation?
§ Mr. LLOYDNo, Sir, it is not a fact. What is a fact is that, as I have said, the police advised these Fascists to move on when it was seen that there was resentment on the part of persons leaving the hall. It must be remembered that Fascists, Members of Parliament and everybody else in this country are equal before the law.
§ Mr. GALLACHERIs the Minister aware that I was the last speaker, and was one of the last to leave the hall; that when I came out of the hall the Fascists were at the door; that the police were standing behind them; and that I went over to the police? How, then, can the police have removed the Fascists while the audience were coming out?