§ 74. Commander LOCKER-LAMPSONasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the Manchester Town Council in refusing to allow Fascists last week to march through the town in uniform, were able to decide the meaning of uniform; and whether he will take steps to prevent the use of uniforms, as defined by that decision, anywhere in the country?
§ Sir J. SIMONI am informed that on the occasion in question no attempt was made to define what constituted a uniform. As regards the second part of the question, I regret that I cannot add anything to the reply given to a question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for East Willesden (Mr. D. G. Somerville) on 7th May last.
§ Mr. THORNEIf the Chief Commissioner of Police for Manchester has this power, is it not true to say that the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolitan area has the same power? Why does he not exercise his authority?
§ Sir J. SIMONI think the facts in the Manchester case are that these people applied to the local police authorities who laid down, with or without authority, certain conditions which the meeting was prepared to accept. But I will look into the matter.
§ Mr. THORNEDid not the Commissioner of Police for Manchester decide that he would not allow a procession with blackshirts in the streets?
§ Sir J. SIMONI do not think that is what happened really, but I will look into the matter.
§ Commander LOCKER-LAMPSONIs it not the fact that these men took off their uniforms while marching through the streets and put them on again by leave in the hall? Therefore there must be some discretion with the police in the matter of uniforms?
§ Mr. PETHERICKWould not the prohibition of the wearing of such uniforms give a very much wanted advertisement to these people?